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Needs Improvement

#9017 of 9,539 schools in CA

John Muir Elementary

Elementary School · Merced City Elementary

300 West 26th St., Merced, CA 95340

Enrollment

581

Student-Teacher

25.3:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,017 of 9,539

In Merced

#33 of 37

public schools

In district

#17 of 19

Merced City Elementary

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John Muir Elementary

3.5/10

Elementary School in Merced · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Yosemite High (continuation)

5.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Independence High (alternative)

6.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John Muir Elementary

John Muir Elementary is a public elementary school in Merced, CA, part of Merced City Elementary. John Muir Elementary serves approximately 581 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 25.3:1 student-teacher ratio. John Muir Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #9,017 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for John Muir Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

John Muir Elementary runs 25.3:1 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.

50% of students at John Muir Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,186
Chronic Absenteeism50.3%

John Muir Elementary — Students at John Muir Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
44%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
15.4%
ELA
24.3%
2024
Math
21.8%
ELA
26.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.

How John Muir Elementary Compares

See how John Muir Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in CA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

300 West 26th St., Merced, CA 95340

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Muir Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luther Burbank Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rudolph Rivera Elementary (rated 5.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alicia Reyes Elementary (rated 5.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably 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 0.6 mi 5.0
Independence High (Alternative) Merced 0.6 mi 6.7
Sequoia High Merced 0.7 mi 6.3
Herbert Hoover Middle Merced 0.6 mi 5.7
Merced High Merced 0.8 mi 4.7
Luther Burbank Elementary Merced 0.8 mi 7.5
John C. Fremont Elementary Merced 0.9 mi 4.5
Charles Wright Elementary Merced 1.0 mi 4.1
Don Stowell Elementary Merced 1.2 mi 3.5
Merced County Special Education Merced 1.1 mi 3.3
Our Lady of Mercy Merced 1.0 mi
STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced 1.3 mi 6.5
Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced 1.4 mi 5.4
Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced 1.4 mi 5.2
Ada Givens Elementary Merced 1.2 mi 5.1
Come Back Charter Merced 1.6 mi 3.4
Allan Peterson Elementary Merced 1.5 mi 4.4
Tenaya Middle Merced 1.5 mi 5.3
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced 1.6 mi 4.4
Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced 1.9 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aspire Alexander Twilight College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA 3.5
August Knodt Elementary Manteca, CA 3.5
Barnett Elementary Ramona, CA 3.5
Cedar Lane Elementary Olivehurst, CA 3.5
Charlotte N. Werner Elementary Rialto, CA 3.5
Citrus Glen Elementary Ventura, CA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Muir Elementary

What grades does John Muir Elementary serve?

John Muir Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend John Muir Elementary?

John Muir Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Muir Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at John Muir Elementary is 25.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Muir Elementary rank in CA?

John Muir Elementary ranks #9,017 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is John Muir Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

John Muir Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 John Muir Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Muir Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is John Muir Elementary a charter school?

No, John Muir Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Muir Elementary a Title I school?

No, John Muir Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Muir Elementary?

92.8% of students at John Muir Elementary 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

Walk Score
67 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Merced County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.3%

District

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

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