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Merced City Elementary

Below Average2024–25 data13 schools · avg 31.2/100

Merced City Elementary has 13 ranked schools across elementary levels with an average Scope Score of 31.2/100 — 12.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Allan Peterson Elementary at 46/100, where 20.9% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,083 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 22.3%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
31.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
23.7
22.4 – 46.1
Avg Exceeded %
10.6%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
22.3%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
13
With Scope Scores

District Analysis

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -3.4pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 23.7 points — showing notable variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 22.3%, 4.1pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.5%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Allan Peterson Elementary leads the district at 46 with 20.9% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Merced City Elementary

5 On the Rise8 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 5 schools in Merced City Elementary are classified as On the Rise (5) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
69.2%
White
11.5%
Asian
8.3%
Black
5.2%
Other
5.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch
84%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Merced City Elementary spends $13,083 per student in current expenditures — $1,732 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$13,083
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
10,800
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 15.9%
$11,284 → $13,083
Spending Efficiency
2.39
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 61%Support 33%Other 6%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$68,682–$137,063
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
536
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (13)

Merced City Elementary has 13 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 31.2 — 12.6 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -3.4pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Allan Peterson Elementary with a Scope Score of 46 and 20.9% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Allan Peterson Elementary
Merced City Elementary On the Rise
20.9%Developing
46/100
2Luther Burbank Elementary
Merced City Elementary On the Rise
17.1%Developing
38/100
3Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
16.9%Developing
36/100
4Charles Wright Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
12.2%Developing
35/100
5John C. Fremont Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
13.1%Developing
33/100
6Ada Givens Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
10.4%Developing
32/100
7Joe Stefani
Merced City Elementary On the Rise
11.3%Developing
32/100
8John Muir Elementary
Merced City Elementary On the Rise
6.2%Needs Support
29/100
9Leontine Gracey Elementary
Merced City Elementary On the Rise
4.3%Needs Support
27/100
10Rudolph Rivera Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
8.0%Needs Support
26/100
11Don Stowell Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
6.0%Needs Support
26/100
12Margaret Sheehy Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
7.8%Needs Support
24/100
13Alicia Reyes Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
3.6%Needs Support
22/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Merced City Elementary

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How resources are distributed across schools within the district

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Is Merced City Elementary a good school district?
Merced City Elementary has 13 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 31.2/100, which is 12.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. 10.6% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Merced City Elementary?
The highest-scoring school in Merced City Elementary is Allan Peterson Elementary with a Scope Score of 46/100 and 20.9% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Merced City Elementary spend per student?
Merced City Elementary spends $13,083 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Merced City Elementary?
Teacher salaries in Merced City Elementary range from $68,682–$137,063 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.