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Below Average

#7925 of 9,533 schools in CA

EL Capitan High

High School · Merced Union High

PO Box 2247, Merced, CA 95344

Enrollment

1,811

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merced

#30 of 37

public schools

California high schools

#1,680 of 1,892

In district

#8 of 9

Merced Union High

About EL Capitan High

El Capitan High serves 1,811 students in grades 9-12 in Merced, California, operating as a regular public school with 85 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. The school ranks in the 43rd percentile among California high schools, placing #5441 out of 9566 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. Academically, El Capitan High shows mixed performance across subject areas.

Half of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, meeting or exceeding grade-level standards. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 14% of students performing at proficient levels or above. The school's academic score of 4.8 out of 10 reflects these varied achievement levels and suggests focused attention on strengthening student outcomes across all disciplines.

As a comprehensive high school serving nearly 1,800 students, El Capitan High provides educational services to a substantial student body in the Merced area. The school's size allows for diverse course offerings and extracurricular opportunities typical of larger high schools while maintaining manageable class sizes given the student-teacher ratio. El Capitan High is situated in a rural setting near the town of Merced, serving families throughout this Central Valley agricultural community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at EL Capitan High is 21.3:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, EL Capitan High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.7%
Math vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,866

EL Capitan High — Students at EL Capitan High score 32% 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

74.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 52.6%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
13.6%
ELA
49.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How EL Capitan High Compares

See how EL Capitan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in CA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers

Location

PO Box 2247, Merced, CA 95344

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering EL Capitan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Come Back Charter (rated 6.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yosemite High (Continuation) (rated 5.5/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Independence High (Alternative) (rated 4.9/10, 4.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced 2.0 mi 4.9
Merced City School District Community Day Merced 2.0 mi 2.4
Come Back Charter Merced 2.5 mi 6.6
Allan Peterson Elementary Merced 2.8 mi 3.6
STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced 2.8 mi 6.5
STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Merced 2.8 mi 5.8
Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced 2.9 mi 4.9
Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced 2.9 mi 4.2
Merced High Merced 3.3 mi 4.8
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced 3.4 mi 3.9
Luther Burbank Elementary Merced 3.6 mi 3.4
John Muir Elementary Merced 4.1 mi 4.8
ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced 4.1 mi 5.8
St. Paul Lutheran School Merced 4.1 mi
John C. Fremont Elementary Merced 4.2 mi 4.7
Herbert Hoover Middle Merced 4.4 mi 4.9
Ada Givens Elementary Merced 4.4 mi 5.1
Our Lady of Mercy Merced 4.6 mi
Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced 4.7 mi 5.5
Independence High (Alternative) Merced 4.7 mi 4.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL San Jose, CA 4.8
Centennial High Bakersfield, CA 4.8
El Camino Fundamental High Sacramento, CA 4.8
Foothill High Sacramento, CA 4.8
Indian Springs High San Bernardino, CA 4.8
James C. Enochs High Modesto, CA 4.8

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 is ranked #7925 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is EL Capitan High's MySchoolScout rating?

EL Capitan High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 EL Capitan High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, EL Capitan High has 18.8% math proficiency and 52.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,811
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
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
#8 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

Related reading

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