Average
#7037 of 9,533 schools in CA
Buhach Colony High
High School · Merced Union High
PO Box 753, Atwater, CA 95301
Enrollment
1,658
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,658
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Atwater
#11 of 11
public schools
California high schools
#1,506 of 1,892
In district
#5 of 9
Merced Union High
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Buhach Colony High
Buhach Colony High serves 1,658 students in grades 9-12 in Atwater, California, operating as a regular public school with 83 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. The school ranks in the 36th percentile statewide, placing #6138 out of 9566 California high schools, with room for academic growth as reflected in its 4.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, the school shows mixed performance with 46% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents a significant area for development with 9% proficiency across grade levels.
These results indicate opportunities for focused improvement in core academic areas, particularly in mathematical skills and problem-solving. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $66,749 and 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a median home value of $342,900 and a poverty rate of 16.1%, the surrounding area reflects a working-class community with varied economic backgrounds.
Located in Merced County's mid-size suburban setting, Buhach Colony High serves families in a ZIP code area home to over 41,000 residents, providing education in a community-centered environment that balances suburban accessibility with Central Valley character.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Buhach Colony High — Students at Buhach Colony High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.9/10.
How Buhach Colony High Compares
See how Buhach Colony High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 8.52% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 46.25% (2024).
Location
PO Box 753, Atwater, CA 95301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buhach Colony High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Valley Atwater Community (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Merced), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Atwater High (rated 5.7/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Atwater, see our Atwater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Bellevue Elementary Atwater | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Shaffer Elementary Atwater | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Mitchell Intermediate Atwater | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Mitchell Elementary Atwater | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Atwater Senior Academy Atwater | 2.1 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Merced | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced | 2.4 mi | — |
| Valley Atwater Community Merced | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Joe Stefani Merced | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Atwater High Atwater | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| McSwain Elementary Merced | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Gospel Defenders Christian Academy Merced | 2.8 mi | — |
| Winfield Elementary Winton | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Winton Middle Winton | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
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 Buhach Colony 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 |
|---|---|
| Gompers Preparatory Academy San Diego, CA | 5.3 |
| Bellflower High Bellflower, CA | 5.2 |
| East Union High Manteca, CA | 5.2 |
| Herbert Hoover High Fresno, CA | 5.2 |
| Indio High Indio, CA | 5.2 |
| Lindhurst High Olivehurst, CA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buhach Colony High
What grades does Buhach Colony High serve?
Buhach Colony High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Buhach Colony High?
Buhach Colony High has an enrollment of approximately 1,658 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buhach Colony High?
The student-teacher ratio at Buhach Colony High is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buhach Colony High rank in CA?
Buhach Colony High is ranked #7037 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buhach Colony High's MySchoolScout rating?
Buhach Colony High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Buhach Colony High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buhach Colony High has 14.8% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buhach Colony High a charter school?
No, Buhach Colony High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buhach Colony High a Title I school?
No, Buhach Colony High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buhach Colony High?
73.8% of students at Buhach Colony 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Atwater). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,658
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 83
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 325-1400
- 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
- #5 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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