Average
#5295 of 9,539 schools in CA
EL Capitan High
High School · Merced Union High · Merced, CA
A Merced Union High high school serving grades 9th – 12th.
PO Box 2247, Merced, CA 95344
- Math 14% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 50% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 96.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at EL Capitan High score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 11 points since 2019, to 32% in 2024, across a 12-year record (2013–2024).
Show all 10 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 26% (multi-year average, 2013-2024) · reading/ELA 55% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 22 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
74.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where EL Capitan High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 3Car-Dependent
- Bike 25Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,653/100K
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Merced), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Come Back CharterCharter · enrollment unverified | 3.4 | 9–12 | 2.5 mi | 120 | Compare → |
| Stone Ridge Christian ElementaryPrivate · tuition | 5.8private | PK–12 | 2.8 mi | 520 | Compare → |
| Stone Ridge Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.5private | PK–12 | 2.8 mi | 448 | Compare → |
| Merced HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 9–12 | 3.3 mi | 1,951 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Merced Union High
- Schools in district
- 9
- Rank in district
- #3 of 9
- District spending per student
- $16,578NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 23.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
EL Capitan High is listed in Merced Union High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About EL Capitan High
EL Capitan High is a public high school in Merced, CA, part of Merced Union High, serving approximately 1,811 students in grades 9th-12th with a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #5,295 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about EL Capitan High
What grades does EL Capitan High serve?
EL Capitan High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend EL Capitan High?
EL Capitan High has an enrollment of approximately 1,811 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at EL Capitan High?
The student-teacher ratio at EL Capitan High is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does EL Capitan High rank in CA?
EL Capitan High ranks #5,295 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is EL Capitan High's MySchoolScout rating?
EL Capitan High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 EL Capitan High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, EL Capitan High has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).
Is EL Capitan High a charter school?
No, EL Capitan High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is EL Capitan High a Title I school?
No, EL Capitan High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for EL Capitan High?
74.1% of students at EL Capitan 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,811
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Merced County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.9%
- Phone
- (209) 384-5500
- 4-Year Graduation
- 96.0%
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2013-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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