Total enrollment
59,456
+660 (+1%) vs SY 2017-18
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 2024-25School 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
School enrollment
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%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Frank Sparkes Elementary· 63.3%
- Dos Palos High· 57.4%
- Pacheco High· 53.1%
- Plainsburg Union Elementary· 52.7%
- McSwain Elementary· 51.8%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Gustine Middle· 15.4%
- Bryant Middle· 16.9%
- Margaret Sheehy Elementary· 17.3%
- Don Stowell Elementary· 19.3%
- Henry Miller Elementary· 20.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cressey Elementary | Cressey | Elementary | KG-KG | 43 | · |
| Merced City School District Community Day | Merced | Elementary | KG-06 | 22 | · |
| Granada High | Le Grand | High | 09-12 | 20 | · |
| Merced County Juvenile Court | Merced | Combined | KG-12 | 20 | · |
| Pioneer High (Continuation) | Gustine | High | 09-12 | 18 | · |
| Irwin High (Continuation) | Hilmar | High | 09-12 | 16 | · |
| Atwater Senior Academy | Atwater | Middle | 06-08 | 5 | · |
| Colony Basic Skills Alternative High | Hilmar | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| Merced County ROP | Merced | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
| Westside Community Day Middle High | South Dos Palos | High | 07-12 | 0 | · |
| Dos Palos Carver Center | Dos Palos | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Early Education Center | Los Banos | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| El Nido Preschool | El Nido | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Livingston Stepping Stones Preschool | Livingston | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Los Banos Special Education Preschool | Los Banos | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Pioneer Headstart | Gustine | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
| Weaver Preschool | Merced | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
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
Merced County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data