Merced County Schools & Education
Merced County, California
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
68/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,658
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,762
School Score
68/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#5
of 58 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Merced County
School Verdict
Merced County performs at an average level with a school score of 68/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.4%.
Funding Context
Merced County spends $8,658 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Merced County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 23% above the California average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Merced County, California
Merced County’s Robust School Infrastructure
Merced County supports 59,654 students through 114 public schools and 22 districts. The county features a large elementary network of 58 schools, complemented by 27 high schools and 17 middle schools. This comprehensive system is designed to handle a large and growing Central Valley student population.
Outperforming Expectations in Graduation Rates
Merced County achieves a 91.4% graduation rate, significantly beating the California average of 87.5% and the national average of 87.0%. The county spends $8,658 per pupil, aligning closely with the state average. This efficiency results in a strong school score of 57.8, outpacing many neighboring regions.
Los Banos and Merced City Lead the Way
Los Banos Unified and Merced City Elementary are the largest districts, serving 11,002 and 10,973 students respectively. Merced Union High also plays a critical role, managing several of the largest schools in the area. Charter options are present but rare, making up only 2.6% of total schools.
Diverse Locales from Cities to Rural Fields
Schools in Merced County are found in a variety of settings, including 32 in city locales and 25 in rural areas. The average school size of 568 students reflects a more urbanized student population compared to northern neighbors. Large campuses like Atwater High serve over 2,000 students, providing extensive extracurricular and academic programs.
Relocating for Merced’s High-Performing Schools
The impressive 91.4% graduation rate makes Merced County a top choice for families prioritizing academic outcomes. As you search for homes, districts like Los Banos Unified offer a mix of suburban and city living with proven results. Exploring the Merced Union High boundary can lead you to some of the county's largest and most established schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
114
in Merced County
Total Enrollment
59,654
students
School Districts
22
districts
Charter Schools
3
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
22 School Districts in Merced County
Merced Union High
Los Banos Unified
Merced City Elementary
Atwater Elementary
Weaver Union
Livingston Union
Delhi Unified
Hilmar Unified
Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified
Winton
114 Public Schools in Merced County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atwater High | Merced Union High | 9–12 | High | 2,095 |
| Golden Valley High | Merced Union High | 9–12 | High | 1,956 |
| Merced High | Merced Union High | 9–12 | High | 1,894 |
| El Capitan High | Merced Union High | 9–12 | High | 1,839 |
| Pacheco High | Los Banos Unified | 9–12 | High | 1,799 |
| Buhach Colony High | Merced Union High | 9–12 | High | 1,746 |
| Los Banos High | Los Banos Unified | 9–12 | High | 1,617 |
| Livingston High | Merced Union High | 9–12 | High | 1,156 |
| Pioneer Elementary | Weaver Union | KG–5 | Primary | 1,126 |
| Weaver Middle | Weaver Union | 6–8 | Middle | 1,003 |
| Farmdale Elementary | Weaver Union | KG–5 | Primary | 1,001 |
| Elim Elementary | Hilmar Unified | KG–5 | Primary | 943 |
| Grasslands Elementary | Los Banos Unified | KG–6 | Primary | 892 |
| McSwain Elementary | McSwain Union Elementary | KG–8 | Primary | 883 |
| Los Banos Junior High | Los Banos Unified | 7–8 | Middle | 862 |
| Merced County Special Education | Merced County Office of Education | KG–12 | Special Education | 848 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary | Merced City Elementary | KG–6 | Primary | 840 |
| Livingston Middle | Livingston Union | 6–8 | Middle | 833 |
| Creekside Junior High | Los Banos Unified | 7–8 | Middle | 817 |
| R. M. Miano Elementary | Los Banos Unified | KG–6 | Primary | 803 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,658
State avg $8,762
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Merced County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Merced County?
How much does Merced County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Merced County, California — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Merced County, California?
Merced County supports 59,654 students through 114 public schools and 22 districts. The county features a large elementary network of 58 schools, complemented by 27 high schools and 17 middle schools. This comprehensive system is designed to handle a large and growing Central Valley student population.
How do schools in Merced County perform academically?
Merced County achieves a 91.4% graduation rate, significantly beating the California average of 87.5% and the national average of 87.0%. The county spends $8,658 per pupil, aligning closely with the state average. This efficiency results in a strong school score of 57.8, outpacing many neighboring regions.
What are the major school districts in Merced County, California?
Los Banos Unified and Merced City Elementary are the largest districts, serving 11,002 and 10,973 students respectively. Merced Union High also plays a critical role, managing several of the largest schools in the area. Charter options are present but rare, making up only 2.6% of total schools.
What is the school experience like in Merced County?
Schools in Merced County are found in a variety of settings, including 32 in city locales and 25 in rural areas. The average school size of 568 students reflects a more urbanized student population compared to northern neighbors. Large campuses like Atwater High serve over 2,000 students, providing extensive extracurricular and academic programs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Merced County, California?
The impressive 91.4% graduation rate makes Merced County a top choice for families prioritizing academic outcomes. As you search for homes, districts like Los Banos Unified offer a mix of suburban and city living with proven results. Exploring the Merced Union High boundary can lead you to some of the county's largest and most established schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.