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#5559 of 9,539 schools in CA

Merced Scholars Charter

School · Merced County Office of Education

632 West 13th St., Merced, CA 95341

Charter

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,559 of 9,539

In Merced

#11 of 37

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

Merced County Office of Education

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Merced Scholars Charter

6.0/10

School in Merced · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valley Merced Community

6.1/10

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

Leontine Gracey Elementary

6.4/10

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

About Merced Scholars Charter

Merced Scholars Charter is a public school in Merced, CA, part of Merced County Office of Education. Merced Scholars Charter serves approximately 297 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Merced Scholars Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,559 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Merced Scholars Charter show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • CA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Merced Scholars Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

47% of students at Merced Scholars Charter 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-29.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate74.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$65,270
Chronic Absenteeism46.5%

Merced Scholars Charter — Students at Merced Scholars Charter score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.1% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 47.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
48.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 40 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
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2011
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2013
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
64.5%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
44.5%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
12.8%
ELA
26.2%
2024
Math
5.8%
ELA
36.4%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Merced Scholars Charter Compares

See how Merced Scholars Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in CA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.5%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

632 West 13th St., Merced, CA 95341

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merced Scholars Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Valley Merced Community (rated 6.1/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Merced County Special Education (rated 3.3/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Merced Community Merced 0.0 mi 6.1
Leontine Gracey Elementary Merced 0.4 mi 6.4
Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced 0.4 mi 3.1
Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced 0.9 mi 5.2
Tenaya Middle Merced 0.9 mi 5.3
Merced County Special Education Merced 1.2 mi 3.3
John C. Fremont Elementary Merced 1.5 mi 4.5
Farmdale Elementary Merced 1.9 mi 6.1
Don Stowell Elementary Merced 1.9 mi 3.5
Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced 2.0 mi 5.0
Independence High (Alternative) Merced 2.0 mi 6.7
Sequoia High Merced 2.0 mi 6.3
John Muir Elementary Merced 2.1 mi 3.5
Gospel Defenders Christian Academy Merced 2.7 mi
Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced 2.7 mi 5.4
Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced 2.7 mi 5.2
Joe Stefani Merced 2.8 mi 4.5
Merced High Merced 2.6 mi 4.7
Franklin Elementary Merced 2.8 mi 7.7
Herbert Hoover Middle Merced 2.5 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,516

Median Home Value

$295,300

Median Rent

$1,172/mo

Population

34,956

College Educated

7.8%

Homeownership

39.3%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

27.3%

Median Age

27.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Altus Schools Audeo San Diego, CA 6.0
Duane E. Furman Independent Study Madera, CA 6.0
FAITH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Yuba City, CA 6.0
Mojave River Academy - Gold Canyon Oro Grande, CA 6.0
OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Diego, CA 6.0
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY San Marcos, CA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merced Scholars Charter

What grades does Merced Scholars Charter serve?

Merced Scholars Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Merced Scholars Charter?

Merced Scholars Charter has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merced Scholars Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Merced Scholars Charter is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merced Scholars Charter rank in CA?

Merced Scholars Charter ranks #5,559 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Merced Scholars Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Merced Scholars Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Merced Scholars Charter?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Merced Scholars Charter has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Merced Scholars Charter a charter school?

Yes, Merced Scholars Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Merced Scholars Charter a Title I school?

No, Merced Scholars Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merced Scholars Charter?

88.6% of students at Merced Scholars Charter 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Merced County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.5%
4-Year Graduation
74.5%

District

Merced County Office of Education
District Enrollment
1,810
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$65,270
District Rank
#3 of 7

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