Average
#5813 of 9,533 schools in CA
Golden Valley High
High School · Merced Union High
PO Box 2188, Merced, CA 95344
Enrollment
1,955
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,955
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#12 of 37
public schools
California high schools
#1,251 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 9
Merced Union High
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Golden Valley High
Golden Valley High serves 1,955 students in grades 9-12 in Merced, California, operating as a regular public school with 95 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1. The school ranks in the 42nd percentile among California high schools, placing it at #5,580 out of 9,566 schools statewide. Academically, Golden Valley High has room for growth, with 47% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, while 12% achieve proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect ongoing challenges that many schools face in supporting student achievement, particularly in mathematics instruction. As a comprehensive high school serving nearly 2,000 students, Golden Valley High plays a significant role in the Merced community's educational landscape. The school's substantial enrollment creates opportunities for diverse course offerings and extracurricular activities typical of larger high schools, while the teaching staff works to support student development across all grade levels.
Golden Valley High is situated in Merced, a small city in California's Central Valley, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while preparing them for their post-secondary endeavors.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley High is 20.6:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Golden Valley High — Students at Golden Valley High score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Golden Valley High Compares
See how Golden Valley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 11.62% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 47.38% (2024).
Location
PO Box 2188, Merced, CA 95344
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Golden Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sequoia High (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yosemite High (Continuation) (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Independence High (Alternative) (rated 4.9/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 1.0 mi | — |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Pioneer Elementary Merced | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Weaver Middle Merced | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Paul Lutheran School Merced | 1.7 mi | — |
| Sequoia High Merced | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Don Stowell Elementary Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Merced High Merced | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced | 2.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Tenaya Middle Merced | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chino High Chino, CA | 5.9 |
| East Bakersfield High Bakersfield, CA | 5.9 |
| Excelsior Charter Victorville, CA | 5.9 |
| Fred C. Beyer High Modesto, CA | 5.9 |
| Glendora High Glendora, CA | 5.9 |
| Hanford West High Hanford, CA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #5813 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Golden Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?
Golden Valley High has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Golden Valley High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Golden Valley High has 14.3% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merced). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,955
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 95
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 325-1800
- 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
- #2 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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