Average
#4065 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 43% in state
Merced Scholars Charter
School · Merced County Office of Education
632 West 13th St., Merced, CA 95341
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#5 of 37
public schools
California schools
#106 of 475
In district
#1 of 7
Merced County Office of Education
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Merced Scholars Charter
Merced Scholars Charter is a charter school located in Merced, California, offering education from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 297 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to its diverse group of learners. The campus, situated at 632 West 13th Street, is well-equipped to support its community with 18 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Merced Scholars Charter has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks as the 6400th school in California according to state standards. In terms of proficiency scores, only 38% of students are proficient or above in English language arts/reading, while math proficiency stands at just 7%. While these numbers highlight areas for improvement, they also indicate a strong commitment from the school and community to support student development.
Merced Scholars Charter is situated within a small city setting, fostering close ties with its local community. The school's location provides students with opportunities to engage in real-world learning experiences while being supported by dedicated educators focused on their growth and success.
What Parents Should Know
Merced Scholars Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Merced Scholars Charter — Students at Merced Scholars Charter score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How Merced Scholars Charter Compares
See how Merced Scholars Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 5.34% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 35.88% (2024).
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 6.3/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Merced County Special Education (rated 6.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.3 |
| Leontine Gracey Elementary Merced | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Tenaya Middle Merced | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Don Stowell Elementary Merced | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Sequoia High Merced | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Gospel Defenders Christian Academy Merced | 2.7 mi | — |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Joe Stefani Merced | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Merced High Merced | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Merced | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merced Scholars Charter has a median household income of $55,516. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,300, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| BRIDGES ACADEMY Studio City, CA | 6.7 |
| Kings County Special Education Hanford, CA | 6.7 |
| Marconi Learning Academy Sacramento, CA | 6.7 |
| Monterey County Special Education Salinas, CA | 6.7 |
| ST MONICA ACADEMY Montrose, CA | 6.7 |
| Solano County Special Education Fairfield, CA | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #4065 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Merced Scholars Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Merced Scholars Charter has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Merced Scholars Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merced Scholars Charter has 6.8% math proficiency and 38.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (209) 381-5165
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merced County Office of Education- District Enrollment
- 1,810
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $65,270
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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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