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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.9%
Math vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio30:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,984

Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle — Students at Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.2%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 44.9%
School
State
46.8%

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
29%
ELA
48%
2024
Math
22.6%
ELA
43.9%

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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
19th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
30:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Merced City Elementary
District Enrollment
11,013
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,186
District Rank
#8 of 19

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

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