Below Average
#7976 of 9,539 schools in CA
Joe Stefani
Elementary School · Merced City Elementary
2768 Ranchero Ln., Merced, CA 95348
Enrollment
608
Student-Teacher
26.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
608
Student-Teacher
26.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
3rd – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,976 of 9,539
In Merced
#27 of 37
public schools
In district
#13 of 19
Merced City Elementary
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Joe Stefani
Elementary School in Merced · grades 3rd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Franklin Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joe Stefani
Joe Stefani is a public elementary school in Merced, CA, part of Merced City Elementary. Joe Stefani serves approximately 608 students, and covers grades 3rd-6th, and has a 26.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Joe Stefani has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #7,976 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Joe Stefani show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Joe Stefani runs 26.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
31% of students at Joe Stefani were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joe Stefani — Students at Joe Stefani score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 4.3/10.
How Joe Stefani Compares
See how Joe Stefani performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2768 Ranchero Ln., Merced, CA 95348
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joe Stefani may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Franklin Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leontine Gracey Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bellevue Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Atwater), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced | 0.2 mi | — |
| Franklin Elementary Merced | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Gospel Defenders Christian Academy Merced | 0.4 mi | — |
| Leontine Gracey Elementary Merced | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| McSwain Elementary Merced | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Merced Scholars Charter Merced | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Valley Merced Community Merced | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Buhach Colony High Atwater | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Tenaya Middle Merced | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 3.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Bellevue Elementary Atwater | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Merced High Merced | 3.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Come Back Charter Merced | 3.4 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95348 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,618
Median Home Value
$352,700
Median Rent
$1,498/mo
Population
36,663
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
47.3%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
31
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA | 4.5 |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Selma, CA | 4.5 |
| Anna Hause Elementary Beaumont, CA | 4.5 |
| Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA | 4.5 |
| Beckman Elementary Lodi, CA | 4.5 |
| Bobier Elementary Vista, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joe Stefani
What grades does Joe Stefani serve?
Joe Stefani serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend Joe Stefani?
Joe Stefani has an enrollment of approximately 608 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joe Stefani?
The student-teacher ratio at Joe Stefani is 26.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joe Stefani rank in CA?
Joe Stefani ranks #7,976 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Joe Stefani's MySchoolScout rating?
Joe Stefani has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Joe Stefani?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joe Stefani has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Joe Stefani a charter school?
No, Joe Stefani is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joe Stefani a Title I school?
No, Joe Stefani is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joe Stefani?
90.5% of students at Joe Stefani qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 608
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Merced County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.8%
- Phone
- (209) 724-2500
Resources & Links
District
Merced City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 11,013
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,186
- District Rank
- #13 of 19
How we rate schools
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