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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.7%
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,866

Atwater High — Students at Atwater High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 44.4%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
16%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
13.9%
ELA
42.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in CA
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,969/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Atwater). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Merced Union High
District Enrollment
11,120
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,578
District Rank
#3 of 9

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.

Read our full methodology

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