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Schools in 95341 — Merced, California

95341 has 7 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 31.5 — 12.3 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 19.8 to 43.5, a 23.7-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
31.5
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
23.7
19.8 – 43.5
Avg Exceeded %
10.2%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
20.5%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores

How 95341 schools perform

The top-ranked school is McSwain Elementary with a Scope Score of 44 and 19.3% of students exceeding standard.

Declining trajectory: Average proficiency drops by 14.5 percentage points from grade 3 to grade 5 across 95341. This pattern in test scores may reflect a variety of factors and is worth examining school by school.

Chronic absenteeism across 95341 averages 20.5%, below the state average of 18.1%.

How 95341 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 95341
95341Merced731.5
95340Merced1331.4-0.1
95338Mariposa431.4-0.1
95337Manteca438.9+7.4
95336Manteca1331.5+0.1
95334Livingston535.7+4.2

School archetypes in 95341

1 Culture First6 Building Momentum

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

All schools in 95341

#SchoolScoreCountyExceededMet+AbsentSusp.
1McSwain Elementary
McSwain Union Elementary Building Momentum
44Merced19.3%47.1%8.2%2.3%
2Farmdale Elementary
Weaver Union Building Momentum
37Merced16.9%40.3%15.0%1.3%
3Pioneer Elementary
Weaver Union Building Momentum
37Merced13.8%39.1%23.0%3.3%
4Plainsburg Union Elementary
Plainsburg Union Elementary Building Momentum
33Merced11.0%39.0%16.2%0.5%
5Weaver Middle
Weaver Union Building Momentum
30Merced10.6%29.9%21.8%12.1%
6Merced Scholars Charter
Merced County Office of Education Culture First
20Merced0.0%8.9%14.5%1.0%
7Valley Merced Community
Merced County Office of Education Building Momentum
20Merced0.0%0.0%45.1%2.5%

Schools in 95341 on the map

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 95341

  • 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 school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

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

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Merced good?
Merced's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.5/100, which is 12.3 points below the California state average of 43.8. 10.2% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Merced?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Merced is McSwain Elementary with a Scope Score of 44/100 and 19.3% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Merced schools compare to the state average?
Merced elementary schools average a Scope Score of 31.5 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (12.3 points below). The exceeded rate averages 10.2% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 20.5% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 19.8 to 43.5, a 23.7-point spread.
How many schools are in Merced?
Merced has 7 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
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 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.