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Merced County

California · Public K-12

California's Merced County runs 117 public K-12 schools between its districts, the largest being Merced City Elementary at 11,108 students. That works out to 67 elementary, 17 middle, and 27 high schools.

7-year change in Merced County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
59,456
+660 (+1%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
107
+3 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
12%
was 16%
% Hispanic
77%
was 73%
% Black
2%
was 3%
% Asian
6%
was 6%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
117
22 districts
Enrollment
59,456
NCES CCD
Median income
$65,510
Below California avg
Free/reduced lunch
80.6%
Above California avg
Elementary
67
30,106 students
Middle
17
9,677 students
High
27
18,006 students
Combined / other
6
1,667 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Merced City Elementary
11,108 students · 22 districts in Merced County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Merced County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
32%
Hispanic
63%
Black
3%
Asian
7%
Two or more
15%
Native American
2%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
12%
Hispanic
77%
Black
2%
Asian
6%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
15.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
10.6%
civilian labor
Median age
32
28.7% under 18

Test scores in Merced County

Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 85 schools ranked. California state average: 47.6%.

See all 85 schools in Merced County ranked by score →

All schools (117)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Atwater HighAtwaterHigh09-122,029·
Merced HighMercedHigh09-121,943·
Golden Valley HighMercedHigh09-121,917·
El Capitan HighMercedHigh09-121,793·
Pacheco HighLos BanosHigh09-121,725·
Buhach Colony HighAtwaterHigh09-121,704·
Los Banos HighLos BanosHigh09-121,543·
Livingston HighLivingstonHigh09-121,169·
Weaver MiddleMercedMiddle06-081,073·
Pioneer ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-051,055·
Merced County Special EducationMercedCombinedKG-12942·
Los Banos Junior HighLos BanosMiddle07-08938·
Farmdale ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-05919·
Rudolph Rivera ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06917·
McSwain ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-08912·
Grasslands ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06884·
Creekside Junior HighLos BanosMiddle07-08812·
Livingston MiddleLivingstonMiddle06-08809·
R. M. Miano ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06778·
Mitchell IntermediateAtwaterMiddle07-08744·
Donn B. Chenoweth ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06722·
Luther Burbank ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06716·
Peggy Heller ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-08712·
Delhi HighDelhiHigh09-12710·
Hilmar HighHilmarHigh09-12696·
Allan Peterson ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06690·
Henry Miller ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06676·
Lorena Falasco ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06669·
Joe StefaniMercedElementary03-06641·
Dos Palos HighDos PalosHigh09-12639·
Herbert Hoover MiddleMercedMiddle07-08629·
Yamato Colony ElementaryLivingstonElementaryKG-05627·
Herbert H. Cruickshank MiddleMercedMiddle07-08624·
Los Banos ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06622·
John Muir ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06613·
Selma Herndon ElementaryLivingstonElementaryKG-05611·
Mercey Springs ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06608·
Rudolph Rivera MiddleMercedMiddle07-08608·
Tenaya MiddleMercedMiddle07-08607·
Franklin ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-03602·
Bellevue ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06599·
Planada ElementaryPlanadaElementaryKG-05583·
John C. Fremont ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06580·
Ada Givens ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06579·
Dos Palos ElementaryDos PalosElementaryKG-02579·
Winton MiddleWintonMiddle06-08579·
Westside Union ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06573·
Hilmar MiddleHilmarMiddle06-08542·
Alicia Reyes ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06540·
Gustine HighGustineHigh09-12531·
Mitchell ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06528·
Charles Wright ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06527·
Elmer Wood ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06514·
Leontine Gracey ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06509·
Campus Park ElementaryLivingstonElementaryKG-05503·
Don Stowell ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06501·
Juniper ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06495·
Bryant MiddleDos PalosMiddle06-08487·
Le Grand HighLe GrandHigh09-12484·
Gustine ElementaryGustineElementaryKG-05483·
Margaret Sheehy ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-06481·
Bernhard Marks ElementaryDos PalosElementary03-05478·
Hilmar ElementaryHilmarElementaryKG-02467·
Schendel ElementaryDelhiElementaryKG-06458·
Harmony ElementaryDelhiElementaryKG-06452·
Winfield ElementaryWintonElementaryKG-05444·
Elim ElementaryHilmarElementary03-05437·
Frank Sparkes ElementaryWintonElementaryKG-05422·
Shaffer ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06405·
Volta ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06387·
Charleston ElementaryLos BanosElementaryKG-06374·
Thomas Olaeta ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06374·
Aileen Colburn ElementaryAtwaterElementaryKG-06371·
Gustine MiddleGustineMiddle06-08370·
Delhi MiddleDelhiMiddle07-08367·
Sybil N. Crookham ElementaryWintonElementaryKG-05362·
Le Grand ElementaryLe GrandElementaryKG-08344·
Yosemite High (Continuation)MercedHigh09-12342·
Merced Scholars CharterMercedCombinedKG-12334·
Cesar E. Chavez MiddlePlanadaMiddle06-08305·
Washington ElementaryWintonElementaryKG-08295·
Ballico-Cressey Community CharterBallicoElementary01-08293·
El Capitan ElementaryDelhiElementaryKG-06289·
Romero ElementarySanta NellaElementaryKG-05225·
Crossroads Alternative Education CenterLos BanosCombinedKG-12183·
Bellevue Senior ElementaryAtwaterMiddle07-08178·
Transitional Kindergarten CenterLos BanosElementaryKG-KG166·
Valley Los Banos CommunityLos BanosHigh06-12160·
El Nido ElementaryEl NidoElementaryKG-08156·
Come Back CharterMercedHigh09-12128·
Merquin ElementaryStevinsonElementaryKG-05126·
Valley Atwater CommunityAtwaterHigh06-12122·
Plainsburg Union ElementaryMercedElementaryKG-08113·
Valley Merced CommunityMercedCombinedKG-1299·
Floyd A. SchelbyLivingstonCombinedKG-1289·
Independence High (Alternative)MercedHigh09-1287·
San Luis High (Continuation)Los BanosHigh09-1282·
Sequoia HighMercedHigh09-1277·
Westside HighSouth Dos PalosHigh09-1271·
Snelling-Merced Falls ElementarySnellingElementaryKG-0855·

Cities in Merced County

Merced37 schoolsLos Banos19 schoolsAtwater14 schoolsLivingston7 schoolsHilmar6 schoolsDelhi5 schoolsDos Palos5 schoolsGustine5 schoolsWinton5 schoolsLe Grand3 schoolsEl Nido2 schoolsPlanada2 schoolsSouth Dos Palos2 schoolsBallico1 schoolCressey1 schoolSanta Nella1 schoolSnelling1 schoolStevinson1 school

About Merced County

In California, Merced County is a sprawling county of about 290,201 residents. 117 public schools across the county teaches about 59,456 students between them.

For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $65,510 a year, roughly 15% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 16% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 27% lower than the California median.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Merced County comprises 67 elementary schools (30,106 students), 17 middle schools (9,677), 27 high schools (18,006), and 6 combined or other schools.

Merced City Elementary is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 11,108 students across Merced County.

Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Merced County has held roughly steady since SY 2017-18, moving from about 58,796 students to 59,456. Merced County now counts 107 public schools, up from 104 in SY 2017-18. Demographically, the Hispanic share of enrollment expanded from 73% to 77%.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Merced County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Merced County?
There are 117 public K-12 schools in Merced County, California, with a combined enrollment of about 59,456.
How many high schools are in Merced County?
Merced County, California has 27 public high schools, serving approximately 18,006 students.
How many middle schools are in Merced County?
Merced County, California has 17 public middle schools, serving approximately 9,677 students.
How many elementary schools are in Merced County?
Merced County, California has 67 public elementary schools, serving approximately 30,106 students.
What is the largest school district in Merced County?
Merced City Elementary is the largest school district in Merced County, serving approximately 11,108 students. The county contains 22 school districts overall.
What is the population of Merced County?
Merced County, California has a population of approximately 290,201, with a median age of 32. About 28.7% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Merced County?
Median household income in Merced County is $65,510, below the California average of $89,387. About 15.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Merced County?
Approximately 15.3% of adults 25 and older in Merced County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Merced County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 80.6% of students in Merced County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the California county average of 60.6%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Merced County schools?
Across Merced County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 22.2 to 1.

Merced County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data