Below Average
#7753 of 9,533 schools in CA
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle
Middle School · Merced City Elementary
601 Mercy Ave., Merced, CA 95340
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
30:1
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
30:1
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#22 of 37
public schools
California middle schools
#1,157 of 1,349
In district
#8 of 19
Merced City Elementary
About Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle is a regular public middle school in Merced, California, serving students in grades 7 and 8. The school has an enrollment of 630 students and employs 21 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 30 to 1.
Located on Mercy Avenue in a rural setting near the town, Cruickshank Middle School offers a variety of programs designed for its middle-grade learners. While the school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.7 out of 10 and ranks 5867th out of 9566 schools in California (39th percentile), it focuses on providing supportive learning environments tailored to student development. In academic performance, 45% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 24% meet proficiency standards in Math.
These numbers indicate areas where the school can focus its efforts for improvement. Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School is situated in a rural setting near Merced, surrounded by a close-knit community that values education and supports its youth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle is 30:1, 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, Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle — Students at Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Compares
See how Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 22.61% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 43.91% (2024).
Location
601 Mercy Ave., Merced, CA 95340
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rudolph Rivera Middle (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Herbert Hoover Middle (rated 4.9/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Merced City School District Community Day Merced | 0.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Allan Peterson Elementary Merced | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Come Back Charter Merced | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Merced | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Merced High Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| El Capitan High Merced | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Merced | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Paul Lutheran School Merced | 2.2 mi | — |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 2.5 mi | — |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95340 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,141
Median Home Value
$383,200
Median Rent
$1,204/mo
Population
38,045
College Educated
26.2%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle has a median household income of $65,141. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $383,200, with a median rent of $1,204/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bernardo Yorba Middle Placentia, CA | 4.9 |
| E. A. Hall Middle Watsonville, CA | 4.9 |
| El Camino Junior High Santa Maria, CA | 4.9 |
| Equitas Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced, CA | 4.9 |
| Livingston Middle Livingston, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle
What grades does Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle serve?
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle?
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle has an enrollment of approximately 630 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle is 30:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle rank in CA?
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle is ranked #7753 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle has 24.2% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle a charter school?
No, Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle a Title I school?
No, Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle?
64.4% of students at Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle 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
- City Safety
- High (3,653/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merced). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 630
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 30:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 385-6330
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merced City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 11,013
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,186
- District Rank
- #8 of 19
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.
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