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
Enrollment
120
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Valley Atwater Community — Students at Valley Atwater Community score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 7.1/10.
How Valley Atwater Community Compares
See how Valley Atwater Community performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 5% (2019) to 2.38% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 7.23% (2024).
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.
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
- Phone
- (209) 381-4550
- 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
- #5 of 7
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.
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