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Schools in 95348 — Merced, California

95348 has 4 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 40.9 — 2.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 26.3 to 54.3, a 28.0-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
40.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
28.0
26.3 – 54.3
Avg Exceeded %
10.3%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
26.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
4
With Scope Scores

How 95348 schools perform

The top-ranked school is El Capitan High with a Scope Score of 54 and 11.9% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism across 95348 averages 26.9%, below the state average of 18.1%. This elevated rate may indicate systemic attendance challenges in the area.

How 95348 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 95348
95348Merced4Developing
40.9/100
95350Modesto14Developing
34.6/100
-6.3
95351Modesto11Developing
31.4/100
-9.5
95354Modesto5Developing
34.2/100
-6.7
95341Merced7Developing
31.5/100
-9.4
95355Modesto15Developing
43.9/100
+3.0

School archetypes in 95348

1 On the Rise3 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in 95348 is classified as On the Rise — 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

All schools in 95348

#SchoolExceededScore
1El Capitan High
Merced Union High Building Momentum
11.9%Solid
54/100
2Merced High
Merced Union High Building Momentum
9.8%Solid
51/100
3Joe Stefani
Merced City Elementary On the Rise
11.3%Developing
32/100
4Rudolph Rivera Elementary
Merced City Elementary Building Momentum
8.0%Needs Support
26/100

Schools in 95348 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 95348

  • 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 4 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 40.9/100, which is 2.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. 10.3% 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 El Capitan High with a Scope Score of 54/100 and 11.9% 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 40.9 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (2.9 points below). The exceeded rate averages 10.3% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 26.9% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 26.3 to 54.3, a 28.0-point spread.
How many schools are in Merced?
Merced has 4 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.