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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Merced Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public high schools serving 8,053 students in Merced, CA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Merced, CA are Merced County Juvenile Court, El Capitan High School and Merced High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merced, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 10% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Merced have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Merced, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is El Capitan High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Merced, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2840 West Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4528
Gr: K-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #22.
El Capitan High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,793 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #33.
Merced High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
205 West Olive Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,943 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #44.
Golden Valley High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2121 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,917 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #55.
Merced Scholars Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1850 Wardrobe Ave. Bldg. H
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Gr: K-12 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #66.
Independence High (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #77.
Floyd A. Schelby
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
6738 North Sultana Dr.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Gr: K-12 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #88.
Valley Atwater Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1800 Matthew Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4550
Gr: 6-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #99.
Valley Los Banos Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
715 West H St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Gr: 6-12 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Valley Merced Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1850 Wardrobe Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4500
Gr: K-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Yosemite High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1212.
Merced County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Gr: K-12 | 942 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
Come Back Charter
Charter School
350 West Yosemite Ave
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 386-6025
Gr: 9-12 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Merced County Rop
Vocational School
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6740
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Sequoia High School
Alternative School
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Merced, CA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Merced, CA include Merced County Juvenile Court, El Capitan High School and Merced High School.
How many public high schools are located in Merced?
15 public high schools are located in Merced.
What is the racial composition of students in Merced?
Merced public high schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Merced are often viewed compared to one another?

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