Merced Union High
Merced Union High has 8 ranked schools across high levels with an average Scope Score of 45.0/100 — 1.3 points near the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is El Capitan High at 54/100, where 11.9% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $13,809 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 33.1%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.
District Analysis
Consistency: Score range of 35.6 points — showing significant variation between schools.
Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 33.1%, 14.9pp below the state average of 18.1%.
Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 1.2%, near the state average of 1.7%.
Top school: El Capitan High leads the district at 54 with 11.9% exceeding standard.
How we score · Scope Score methodology
Student demographics
District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data
District Funding
Merced Union High spends $13,809 per student in current expenditures — $1,006 below the state average of $14,815.
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020
Teacher compensation
CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25
High Schools (8)
Merced Union High has 8 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 45.0 — 2.5 points below the state average of 47.5.
The highest-scoring high school is El Capitan High with a Scope Score of 54 and 11.9% exceeding standard.
| # | School | Exceeded | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Capitan High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 11.9% | Solid 54/100 |
| 2 | Buhach Colony High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 12.7% | Solid 52/100 |
| 3 | Merced High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 9.8% | Solid 51/100 |
| 4 | Atwater High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 9.8% | Developing 49/100 |
| 5 | Golden Valley High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 9.3% | Developing 48/100 |
| 6 | Livingston High Merced Union High Building Momentum | 5.8% | Developing 45/100 |
| 7 | Independence High (Alternative) Merced Union High Building Momentum | 1.3% | Developing 42/100 |
| 8 | Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced Union High Building Momentum | 0.8% | Needs Support 19/100 |
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 Union High
- 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