Below Average
#7757 of 9,533 schools in CA
Independence High (alternative)
High School · Merced Union High
1900 G St., Merced, CA 95340
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#26 of 37
public schools
California high schools
#1,642 of 1,892
In district
#6 of 9
Merced Union High
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Independence High (alternative)
Independence High, an alternative school located in Merced, California, caters to students in grades 9 through 12. With a total enrollment of 92 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, the school offers personalized attention and support. The dedicated staff includes 12 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with each student.
Independence High focuses on providing alternative education options for those seeking a different learning environment. While academic performance metrics show room for improvement—with an ELA/reading proficiency rate of 22% and math proficiency at 12%, the school is committed to fostering growth and development in its students. The MySchoolScout rating reflects this ongoing journey, with a score of 2.7 out of 10.
The setting of Independence High is in a small city where community support plays a crucial role in student success.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 92 students, Independence High (alternative) is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Independence High (alternative) offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Independence High (alternative) — Students at Independence High (alternative) score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.2%
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.
* 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: 1.7/10.
How Independence High (alternative) Compares
See how Independence High (alternative) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 0% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 16.28% (2024).
Location
1900 G St., Merced, CA 95340
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independence High (alternative) may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sequoia High (rated 7.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Golden Valley High (rated 5.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Yosemite High (Continuation) (rated 5.5/10), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 0.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Sequoia High Merced | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Don Stowell Elementary Merced | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 0.9 mi | — |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Merced High Merced | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Tenaya Middle Merced | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Ada Givens Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Golden Valley High Merced | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
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 Independence High (alternative) 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 |
|---|---|
| HARKHAM-GAON ACADEMY Los Angeles, CA | 4.9 |
| Marin's Community San Rafael, CA | 4.9 |
| Mesquite Continuation High Ridgecrest, CA | 4.9 |
| Mt. Tallac High South Lake Tahoe, CA | 4.9 |
| Prospect High (Continuation) Oroville, CA | 4.9 |
| Salinas Community Salinas, CA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independence High (alternative)
What grades does Independence High (alternative) serve?
Independence High (alternative) serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Independence High (alternative)?
Independence High (alternative) has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence High (alternative)?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence High (alternative) is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independence High (alternative) rank in CA?
Independence High (alternative) is ranked #7757 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Independence High (alternative)'s MySchoolScout rating?
Independence High (alternative) 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 Independence High (alternative)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence High (alternative) has 12.5% math proficiency and 21.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Independence High (alternative) a charter school?
No, Independence High (alternative) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Independence High (alternative) a Title I school?
No, Independence High (alternative) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence High (alternative)?
90.2% of students at Independence High (alternative) 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.2%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 325-1600
- 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
- #6 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.
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