Top Rankings
Merced Union High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 11,120 students in Merced Union High School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Merced Union High School District have an average math proficiency score of 13% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Merced Union High School District have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Livingston High School, with ≥99% 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).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,817 Schools
# Students
11,120 Students
2,139,525 Students
# Teachers
552 Teachers
100,737 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Merced Union High School District, which is ranked #1363 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1366 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
29%
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.45
0.63
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
8%
11%
% Hispanic
73%
56%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
12%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,158 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,712 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$202 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$175 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,158
$19,974
Spending / Student
$15,712
$18,396
Best Merced Union High School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
El Capitan High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,811 students
Rank: #22.
Merced High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 West Olive Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,951 students
Rank: #33.
Buhach Colony High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Buhach Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,658 students
Rank: #44.
Livingston High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1617 Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,141 students
Rank: #55.
Atwater High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Grades: 9-12
| 2,051 students
Rank: #66.
Golden Valley High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2121 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,955 students
Rank: #77.
Independence High (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #88.
Yosemite High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Grades: 9-12
| 355 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sequoia High School
Alternative School
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
