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Average

#5208 of 9,533 schools in CA

Valley Atwater Community

High School · Merced County Office of Education

632 West 13th St., Merced, CA 95341

Enrollment

120

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merced

#10 of 37

public schools

California high schools

#1,094 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 7

Merced County Office of Education

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Valley Atwater Community

Valley Atwater Community is an alternative high school located in Merced, California. Serving students from grade 6 through 12, the school has a total enrollment of 120 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is in a mid-size suburb, providing a supportive environment for its diverse student body.

The academic performance at Valley Atwater Community currently sits at the lower end of the spectrum, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 1.2 out of 10. The school ranks 7892nd among 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 18th percentile. In terms of proficiency, only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 5% in Math.

Despite these challenges, Valley Atwater Community continues to focus on student development and support for its alternative education model. The school's setting within a mid-size suburb offers a nurturing community atmosphere that can be beneficial for students seeking personalized learning opportunities and additional support.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 120 students, Valley Atwater Community is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Valley Atwater Community are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.2%
Math vs. State Avg-31.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40.1 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$61,111

Valley Atwater Community — Students at Valley Atwater Community score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 4.6%
School
State
32.3%
ELA Proficiency 9.6%
School
State
49.1%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2024
Math
4.4%
ELA
9.4%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Valley Atwater Community Compares

See how Valley Atwater Community performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
45th percentile in CA
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

632 West 13th St., Merced, CA 95341

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Atwater Community may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Atwater High (rated 5.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Atwater), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Buhach Colony High (rated 5.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Atwater), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater 0.9 mi 7.3
Mitchell Elementary Atwater 1.0 mi 6.9
Mitchell Intermediate Atwater 1.0 mi 6.1
Atwater Senior Academy Atwater 1.1 mi
Shaffer Elementary Atwater 1.2 mi 5.7
Elmer Wood Elementary Atwater 1.6 mi 5.9
Atwater High Atwater 1.7 mi 5.7
Thomas Olaeta Elementary Atwater 1.5 mi 7.4
Bellevue Elementary Atwater 2.2 mi 6.9
Bellevue Senior Elementary Atwater 2.2 mi 7.0
Peggy Heller Elementary Atwater 2.5 mi 5.5
Winton Middle Winton 2.7 mi 5.8
Frank Sparkes Elementary Winton 2.9 mi 8.6
Buhach Colony High Atwater 2.4 mi 5.3
Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Winton 3.5 mi 7.6
Winfield Elementary Winton 3.4 mi 5.0
GRACE MENNONITE SCHOOL Winton 4.0 mi 4.3
McSwain Elementary Merced 3.9 mi 5.3
Franklin Elementary Merced 4.3 mi 7.8
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary School Merced 4.5 mi

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 Valley Atwater Community 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
Academy of the Redwoods Fortuna, CA 6.2
Albert Powell Continuation Yuba City, CA 6.2
HEADLANDS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Sausalito, CA 6.2
Island High (Continuation) Alameda, CA 6.2
New Valley Continuation High Santa Clara, CA 6.2
Pescadero High Pescadero, CA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Atwater Community

What grades does Valley Atwater Community serve?

Valley Atwater Community serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Valley Atwater Community?

Valley Atwater Community has an enrollment of approximately 120 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Atwater Community?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Atwater Community is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Atwater Community rank in CA?

Valley Atwater Community is ranked #5208 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Valley Atwater Community's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Atwater Community has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Valley Atwater Community?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Atwater Community has 4.6% math proficiency and 9.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valley Atwater Community a charter school?

No, Valley Atwater Community is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valley Atwater Community a Title I school?

No, Valley Atwater Community is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Atwater Community?

94.2% of students at Valley Atwater Community 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

City Safety
High (3,653/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merced). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Merced County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Merced County Office of Education
District Enrollment
1,810
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$65,270
District Rank
#5 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.

Read our full methodology

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