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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Merced Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public middle schools serving 6,332 students in Merced, CA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Merced, CA are Merced County Juvenile Court, Mcswain Elementary School and Plainsburg Union Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merced, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Merced have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle 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.
Mcswain Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
922 Scott Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Gr: K-8 | 912 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #33.
Plainsburg Union Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3708 South Plainsburg Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Gr: K-8 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Gr: 7-8 | 624 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #55.
Weaver Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3076 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Gr: 6-8 | 1,073 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #66.
Herbert Hoover Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
800 East 26th St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6631
Gr: 7-8 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #77.
Rudolph Rivera Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
945 Buena Vista Dr.
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6680
Gr: 7-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
Tenaya Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
760 West Eighth St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6687
Gr: 7-8 | 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Merced, CA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Merced, CA include Merced County Juvenile Court, Mcswain Elementary School and Plainsburg Union Elementary School.
How many public middle schools are located in Merced?
14 public middle schools are located in Merced.
What is the racial composition of students in Merced?
Merced public middle schools minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Merced are often viewed compared to one another?

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