For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public high schools serving 8,080 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2840 West Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4528
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4528
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #22.
El Capitan High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,811 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,951 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #44.
Golden Valley High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2121 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,955 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #55.
Merced Scholars Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1850 Wardrobe Ave. Bldg. H
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Gr: K-12 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #66.
Independence High (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Gr: 9-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #77.
Floyd A. Schelby
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6738 North Sultana Dr.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Gr: K-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #88.
Valley Atwater Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Matthew Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4550
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4550
Gr: 6-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #99.
Valley Los Banos Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 West H St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Gr: 6-12 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Valley Merced Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1850 Wardrobe Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4500
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4500
Gr: K-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1212.
Merced County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Gr: K-12 | 895 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
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 386-6025
Gr: 9-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
Merced County Rop
Vocational School
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6740
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
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Merced, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1180 E St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 50:1
Valley Livingston Community Day School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
632 West 13th St. Merced Count
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 394-1246
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 394-1246
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Merced include: El Capitan High School vs. Merced High School, Golden Valley High School vs. Merced High School, Merced High School vs. El Capitan High School
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