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Atwater High

Q: Is Atwater High a good school?

Atwater High ranks 1362 nd of 2162 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

1362^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,162 California High Schools

Better than 37% of California high schools

Summary

Atwater High is a large, traditional public high school serving grades 9-12 to over 2,000 students in the Merced Union High school district, known for its high graduation rates amidst broader academic challenges.

The school's greatest strength is its success in helping students graduate, with a rate consistently over 96%, which is higher than the state average. However, there is a significant gap between this success and student scores on state tests, especially in math where proficiency is very low at 13%; this pattern of strong graduation but lower test scores is similar at nearby Merced High but is more pronounced than at higher-performing district schools like El Capitan High and Buhach Colony High. On a positive note, Atwater High has done well in improving student attendance since the pandemic, with a chronic absenteeism rate that is better than the district average and lower than several peers.

It's important to know that the low math scores are a district-wide issue, not unique to Atwater High. The school's support for specific groups of students, such as English learners, has shown significant ups and downs from year to year. Compared to local alternative options like Yosemite High (Continuation) or Come Back Charter, Atwater provides a much more stable environment with a far lower dropout rate, successfully keeping the vast majority of its students on track to earn a diploma.

2,029

Students ?

20.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,130

Per pupil spending ?

82.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301-0835

(209) 325-1200

District: Merced Union High

Feeder schools for Atwater High:

Elementary:	Aileen Colburn Elementary
	Elmer Wood Elementary
	Frank Sparkes Elementary
	Mitchell Elementary
	More...
	Sybil N. Crookham Elementary
	Winfield Elementary
Middle:	Winton Middle

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

81.5%

White:

12.4%

Asian:

2.7%

See top rated California high schools

Compare Atwater High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 39th percentile in 2015 → 37th in 2025

Strengths

✓96% graduate in 4 years — above the California average (88%)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (26% vs 41% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Mathematics scores 24 pts below the California average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school26%

District avg26%

California avg41%

1,362^nd of 2,162

California public high schools ?

Bottom 37%▼ down 2 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of California High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 8High Schools in the Merced Union High

1134^th of 1,543Merced Union High among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	35.9	1362 of 2162	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.9	1294 of 2159	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.9	1224 of 2170	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.9	1209 of 2123	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.3	758 of 1290	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.2	1072 of 2133	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.0	1099 of 2017	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	48.8	1050 of 2021	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	46.8	1071 of 2039	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	37.0	1225 of 1994	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	59.0	558 of 2426	77.0%	★★★★☆
2012	65.8	399 of 2354	83.1%	★★★★☆
2011	62.7	451 of 2367	80.9%	★★★★☆
2010	60.5	508 of 2281	77.7%	★★★★☆
2009	54.2	617 of 2238	72.4%	★★★★☆
2008	57.3	516 of 2117	75.6%	★★★★☆
2007	54.2	559 of 2063	72.9%	★★★★☆
2006	49.6	642 of 1968	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2005	54.1	517 of 1901	72.8%	★★★★☆
2004	45.9	573 of 1653	65.3%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2018	58.1	204 of 582	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	39.9	384 of 573	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	10.0	538 of 591	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	8.2	532 of 581	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	11.8	521 of 582	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.0	481 of 581	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	34.8	693 of 1161	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.4	394 of 555	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.0	811 of 1117	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.1	643 of 1052	38.9%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	26.0	991 of 1085	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	46.1	415 of 1064	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	29.6	835 of 1044	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	36.3	280 of 467	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.6	670 of 941	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.3	892 of 938	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	39.1	1142 of 1906	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.9	1231 of 1915	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.6	1071 of 1915	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.5	1173 of 1858	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.2	668 of 1054	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.3	962 of 1833	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	48.4	936 of 1760	46.8%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	37.8	1212 of 1900	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.0	1049 of 1902	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.5	1044 of 1917	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.4	1035 of 1861	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	53.8	781 of 1814	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.6	922 of 1742	47.1%	★★☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	24.0	322 of 410	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	8.8	320 of 328	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	17.0	261 of 299	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	35.4	187 of 290	35.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	35.2	1317 of 2013	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.0	1243 of 2026	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	40.6	1155 of 2030	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.8	1130 of 1943	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.3	702 of 1126	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	54.4	797 of 1937	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.1	1008 of 1862	45.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	29.8	1345 of 1942	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.7	1178 of 1948	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.5	1230 of 1963	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.7	1089 of 1916	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.0	686 of 1122	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	41.2	1063 of 1880	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.5	1136 of 1834	38.1%	★★☆☆☆

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	22.1	74 of 85	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.3	68 of 85	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	49.8	39 of 74	47.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	29.3	894 of 1252	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.3	797 of 1216	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.9	897 of 1197	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	29.2	851 of 1155	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.8	1001 of 1173	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	39.2	739 of 1193	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.9	707 of 1204	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	31.9	854 of 1222	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.5	831 of 1173	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2018)65th percentile+19 vs school

Disabled (2022)40th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2025)40th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2025)36th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)35th percentile~ school

Asian (2024)33rd percentile-7 vs school

Male (2025)31st percentile-6 vs school

Special Education (2025)29th percentile-8 vs school

White (2025)26th percentile-11 vs school

Homeless (2025)21st percentile-16 vs school

Migrant (2025)13th percentile-24 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)9th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy41%-7 vs state

Science22%-11 vs state

Mathematics13%-24 vs state

★

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Schools Near Atwater High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)				Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science 11th Grade	CAST Science 12th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Atwater High	Public	9-12	2201 Fruitland Ave.	Atwater	95301	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 325-1200	2,029	98	20.6	82.1%	251 (12.4%)	30 (1.5%)	1,654 (81.5%)	54 (2.7%)	8 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (1.6%)	35.9	1362^nd of 2162 public high schools	37.0%		37.9	1294^th of 2159 public high schools	40.1%	68		22.2	7.1	21.7		41.5	41.5		13.5	13.5	$13,130	$1,908	$11,222
Valley Atwater Community	Public	6-12	1800 Matthew Ave.	Atwater	95301	Merced County	Merced County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 381-4550	122	8	15.6	94.3%	14 (11.5%)	3 (2.5%)	100 (82.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.3%)	8.2	2108^th of 2162 public high schools	2.5%		9	2122^nd of 2159 public high schools	1.7%	14	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	9.8	6.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	$20,948	$1,944	$19,004
Buhach Colony High	Public	9-12	1800 Buhach Rd.	Atwater	95301	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 325-1400	1,704	76	22.5	78.5%	261 (15.3%)	36 (2.1%)	1,187 (69.7%)	169 (9.9%)	14 (0.8%)	2 (0.1%)	34 (2.0%)	50.3	1032^nd of 2162 public high schools	52.3%		36.7	1322^nd of 2159 public high schools	38.8%	290		31.6	40.0	31.9		53.0	53.0		15.3	15.3	$13,560	$1,548	$12,012
Livingston High	Public	9-12	1617 Main St.	Livingston	95334	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 398-3200	1,169	56	20.9	85.5%	41 (3.5%)	7 (0.6%)	994 (85.0%)	114 (9.8%)	5 (0.4%)	2 (0.2%)	6 (0.5%)	24.9	1598^th of 2162 public high schools	26.1%		26.1	1571^st of 2159 public high schools	27.2%	27		13.8		13.8		34.5	34.5		9.0	9.0	$14,910	$1,582	$13,328
El Capitan High	Public	9-12	100 West Farmland	Merced	95348	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 384-5500	1,793	85	21.1	76.2%	243 (13.6%)	89 (5.0%)	1,173 (65.4%)	226 (12.6%)	3 (0.2%)	7 (0.4%)	47 (2.6%)	47.5	1085^th of 2162 public high schools	49.8%		47.3	1073^rd of 2159 public high schools	50.3%	12		28.5	20.0	28.2		53.6	53.6		14.3	14.3	$12,870	$2,058	$10,812
Come Back Charter	Public, Charter	9-12	350 West Yosemite Ave	Merced	95348	Merced County	Merced County Office of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 386-6025	128	5	27.2	88.3%	20 (15.6%)	3 (2.3%)	99 (77.3%)	2 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	3 (2.3%)								(n/a)			4.8	4.8							$11,488	$752	$10,736
Merced High	Public	9-12	205 West Olive Ave.	Merced	95348	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 325-1000	1,943	86	22.5	79.4%	262 (13.5%)	107 (5.5%)	1,326 (68.2%)	142 (7.3%)	12 (0.6%)	7 (0.4%)	84 (4.3%)	36	1358^th of 2162 public high schools	37.2%		36	1339^th of 2159 public high schools	38.0%	19		21.1		21.6		41.6	41.6		14.5	14.5	$12,194	$1,105	$11,089
Merced County Regional Occupational Program	Public	11-12	632 West 13th St.	Merced	95341	Merced County	Merced County Regional Occupational Program	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(209) 381-6740	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Yosemite High (Continuation)	Public	9-12	1900 G St.	Merced	95340	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 325-1600	342	21	16.0	83.3%	39 (11.4%)	18 (5.3%)	266 (77.8%)	10 (2.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	7 (2.0%)	10.5	1999^th of 2162 public high schools	7.5%		9.7	2088^th of 2159 public high schools	3.3%	89		4.7		4.4		10.8	10.8		2.3	2.3	$20,460	$3,034	$17,426
Independence High (Alternative)	Public	9-12	1900 G St.	Merced	95340	Merced County	Merced Union High	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(209) 325-1600	87	10	8.2	88.5%	13 (14.9%)	9 (10.3%)	61 (70.1%)	1 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.4%)	12.1	1910^th of 2162 public high schools	11.7%		12.4	1921^st of 2159 public high schools	11.0%	11		5.3		4.7		20.5	20.5		0.0	0.0	$27,616	$1,539	$26,077

Frequently Asked Questions about Atwater High

What district is Atwater High in?

Merced Union High

How many students attend Atwater High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,029 students attended Atwater High.

What schools feed into Atwater High?

Atwater High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Aileen Colburn Elementary
Elementary : Elmer Wood Elementary
Elementary : Frank Sparkes Elementary
Elementary : Mitchell Elementary
Elementary : Sybil N. Crookham Elementary
Elementary : Winfield Elementary
Middle : Winton Middle

Is Atwater High a good school?

Atwater High ranks 1362^nd of 2162 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Atwater High?

Students at Atwater High are 82% Hispanic, 12% White, 3% Asian, 2% Two or more races, 1% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.