Average
#6267 of 9,533 schools in CA
Atwater High
High School · Merced Union High
PO Box 835, Atwater, CA 95301
Enrollment
2,051
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,051
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Atwater
#9 of 11
public schools
California high schools
#1,341 of 1,892
In district
#3 of 9
Merced Union High
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Atwater High
Atwater High serves 2,051 students in grades 9 through 12 in this mid-size suburban community in Merced County, California. With 99 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, providing a substantial learning environment for its sizable student body. The school ranks in the 37th percentile statewide (#5998 out of 9566 California schools) and earns a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, indicating areas with room for academic growth.
While 43% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts across grade levels, mathematics presents a greater challenge with 14% of students meeting proficiency standards. These metrics suggest the school is working to strengthen student achievement across core subjects. Atwater High sits within a community where the median household income reaches $66,749 and median home values average $342,900.
The surrounding ZIP code area (95301) houses 41,660 residents, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 16.1%. This demographic profile reflects a working-class community with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this Central Valley suburb, supporting families across various income levels in their pursuit of educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Atwater High is a large school with 2,051 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Atwater High is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Atwater High — Students at Atwater High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Atwater High Compares
See how Atwater High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 13.89% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2019) to 42.74% (2024).
Location
PO Box 835, Atwater, CA 95301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Atwater High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Valley Atwater Community (rated 6.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Buhach Colony High (rated 5.3/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Atwater, see our Atwater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Atwater Senior Academy Atwater | 0.8 mi | — |
| Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Mitchell Elementary Atwater | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Winton Middle Winton | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Mitchell Intermediate Atwater | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Valley Atwater Community Merced | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Winfield Elementary Winton | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Shaffer Elementary Atwater | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Bellevue Elementary Atwater | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| GRACE MENNONITE SCHOOL Winton | 2.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Buhach Colony High Atwater | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Floyd A. Schelby Merced | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Cressey Elementary Ballico | 4.7 mi | 7.2 |
| McSwain Elementary Merced | 5.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,669
Median Home Value
$367,800
Median Rent
$1,215/mo
Population
42,374
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Atwater High has a median household income of $66,669. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,800, with a median rent of $1,215/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Armijo High Fairfield, CA | 5.7 |
| Central East High Fresno, CA | 5.7 |
| Coachella Valley High Thermal, CA | 5.7 |
| Moreno Valley High Moreno Valley, CA | 5.7 |
| Oak Hills High Oak Hills, CA | 5.7 |
| Petaluma High Petaluma, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Atwater High
What grades does Atwater High serve?
Atwater High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Atwater High?
Atwater High has an enrollment of approximately 2,051 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Atwater High?
The student-teacher ratio at Atwater High is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Atwater High rank in CA?
Atwater High is ranked #6267 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Atwater High's MySchoolScout rating?
Atwater High has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Atwater High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Atwater High has 15.7% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Atwater High a charter school?
No, Atwater High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Atwater High a Title I school?
No, Atwater High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Atwater High?
80.4% of students at Atwater High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,051
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 99
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 325-1200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merced Union High- District Enrollment
- 11,120
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,578
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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