Average
#6053 of 9,533 schools in CA
Tenaya Middle
Middle School · Merced City Elementary
760 West Eighth St., Merced, CA 95340
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
24.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merced
#13 of 37
public schools
California middle schools
#884 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 19
Merced City Elementary
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Tenaya Middle
Tenaya Middle, located in the heart of Merced, California, is a regular public middle school serving seventh and eighth graders. With an enrollment of 585 students, Tenaya provides a student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from its team of 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.4 out of 10 and ranks at the 16th percentile among California schools, with a state ranking of #7990 out of 9566 schools.
Academic performance shows that 29% of students are proficient in English Language Arts and Reading, while only 11% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Tenaya Middle focuses on student development and offers various programs to support its diverse learning needs. The school is situated in a small city with access to community resources, making it an integral part of the local neighborhood.
For families looking for a supportive educational environment within Merced's vibrant community, Tenaya Middle provides a strong foundation for middle school students as they navigate their academic and social growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Tenaya Middle is 24.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Tenaya Middle — Students at Tenaya Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.7%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Tenaya Middle Compares
See how Tenaya Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 10.66% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 29.16% (2024).
Location
760 West Eighth St., Merced, CA 95340
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tenaya Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Herbert Hoover Middle (rated 4.9/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rudolph Rivera Middle (rated 4.9/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alicia Reyes Elementary Merced | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Merced County Special Education Merced | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary Merced | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Leontine Gracey Elementary Merced | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Valley Merced Community Merced | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Merced Scholars Charter Merced | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Don Stowell Elementary Merced | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| John C. Fremont Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Farmdale Elementary Merced | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Independence High (Alternative) Merced | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Sequoia High Merced | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| John Muir Elementary Merced | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Charles Wright Elementary Merced | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Merced | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Merced High Merced | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Our Lady of Mercy Merced | 2.1 mi | — |
| Luther Burbank Elementary Merced | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
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 Tenaya Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Alliance Kory Hunter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 5.8 |
| C. E. Utt Middle Tustin, CA | 5.8 |
| Delta Sierra Middle Stockton, CA | 5.8 |
| Francisco Middle San Francisco, CA | 5.8 |
| Hilmar Middle Hilmar, CA | 5.8 |
| Jackson Junior High Jackson, CA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tenaya Middle
What grades does Tenaya Middle serve?
Tenaya Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Tenaya Middle?
Tenaya Middle has an enrollment of approximately 585 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tenaya Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Tenaya Middle is 24.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tenaya Middle rank in CA?
Tenaya Middle is ranked #6053 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Tenaya Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Tenaya Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Tenaya Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tenaya Middle has 11.0% math proficiency and 29.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tenaya Middle a charter school?
No, Tenaya Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tenaya Middle a Title I school?
No, Tenaya Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tenaya Middle?
94.7% of students at Tenaya Middle 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 585
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Merced County
- Phone
- (209) 385-6687
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merced City Elementary- District Enrollment
- 11,013
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,186
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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