Average
#5473 of 9,539 schools in CA
Golden Valley High
High School · Merced Union High · Merced, CA
A Merced Union High high school serving grades 9th – 12th.
PO Box 2188, Merced, CA 95344
- Math 12% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 47% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 97.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Golden Valley High score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 19 points across the 16-year record (2009–2024) and has held near 30% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 30% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 50% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
84.6%
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 Golden Valley 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 55Somewhat Walkable
- Bike 55Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,653/100K
Powered by
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequoia HighEnrollment path unverified | 6.3 | 9–12 | 1.4 mi | 106 | Compare → |
| Independence High (alternative)Enrollment path unverified | 6.7 | 9–12 | 1.5 mi | 92 | Compare → |
| Yosemite High (continuation)Enrollment path unverified | 5.0 | 9–12 | 1.5 mi | 355 | Compare → |
| Atwater HighEnrollment path unverified | 5.5 | 9–12 | Not available | 2,051 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Merced Union High
- Schools in district
- 9
- Rank in district
- #4 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
Golden Valley High is listed in Merced Union High; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Golden Valley High
Golden Valley High is a public high school in Merced, CA, part of Merced Union High, serving approximately 1,955 students in grades 9th-12th with a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,473 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Golden Valley High
What grades does Golden Valley High serve?
Golden Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Golden Valley High?
Golden Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 1,955 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley High?
The student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley High is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Golden Valley High rank in CA?
Golden Valley High ranks #5,473 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Golden Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?
Golden Valley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Golden Valley High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Golden Valley High has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Golden Valley High a charter school?
No, Golden Valley High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Golden Valley High a Title I school?
No, Golden Valley High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Golden Valley High?
84.6% of students at Golden Valley 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
- 1,955
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 95
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Merced County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.5%
- Phone
- (209) 325-1800
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
Official sources & links
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, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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