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Average

#5873 of 9,539 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

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,873 of 9,539

In Atwater

#9 of 11

public schools

In district

#5 of 9

Merced Union High

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Buhach Colony High

5.8/10

High School in Atwater · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bellevue Senior Elementary

7.7/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bellevue Elementary

6.4/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buhach Colony High

Buhach Colony High is a public high school in Atwater, CA, part of Merced Union High. Buhach Colony High serves approximately 1,658 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Buhach Colony High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,873 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Buhach Colony High show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • CA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate99%+
AP Participation17.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,578
Chronic Absenteeism27.6%

Buhach Colony High — Students at Buhach Colony High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 53.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
50%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
8.5%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Buhach Colony High Compares

See how Buhach Colony High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in CA
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
23
12 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
17.1% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
12 boys'·11 girls'·37 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.5/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 7.7
Bellevue Elementary Atwater 1.0 mi 6.4
Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater 1.3 mi 6.3
Shaffer Elementary Atwater 1.3 mi 5.8
Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater 1.9 mi 6.3
Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater 2.0 mi 7.8
Mitchell Intermediate Atwater 1.9 mi 6.1
Mitchell Elementary Atwater 2.0 mi 5.7
Atwater Senior Academy Atwater 2.1 mi
Franklin Elementary Merced 2.4 mi 7.7
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced 2.4 mi
Valley Atwater Community Merced 2.4 mi 6.2
Joe Stefani Merced 2.5 mi 4.5
Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater 2.5 mi 7.0
Atwater High Atwater 2.6 mi 5.5
McSwain Elementary Merced 3.3 mi 5.4
Gospel Defenders Christian Academy Merced 2.8 mi
Winfield Elementary Winton 3.3 mi 7.3
Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton 3.3 mi 8.3
Winton Middle Winton 3.4 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy Los Angeles, CA 5.8
Coalinga High Coalinga, CA 5.8
Desert Mirage High Thermal, CA 5.8
El Dorado High Placerville, CA 5.8
Fred C. Beyer High Modesto, CA 5.8
Herbert Hoover High Glendale, CA 5.8

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 ranks #5,873 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Buhach Colony High's MySchoolScout rating?

Buhach Colony High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buhach Colony High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buhach Colony High has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.6%
4-Year Graduation
99%+

District

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

How we rate schools

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