Best High Schools in Zip Code 95301

Three high schools serve students in zip code 95301 in Atwater, California, all of which support grades 9-12 and serve student populations with high economic need.

Buhach Colony High stands out as the highest-performing school in the area, with the best test scores and a rising statewide ranking, while Atwater High shows consistent performance with a strong graduation rate. Both traditional high schools, which are part of the Merced Union High district, achieve graduation rates above 96%, significantly exceeding the state average, though math proficiency is an area for improvement across the board. Valley Atwater Community is a much smaller alternative school serving grades 6-12 in the Merced County Office of Education district, facing substantial academic challenges but with lower chronic absenteeism than its district average.

A key finding is the contrast between the very high graduation rates and lower standardized test scores at the traditional schools, suggesting strong support systems keep students on track to graduate. Another notable point is the difference in resources, with the alternative school receiving more funding per student than the larger comprehensive high schools. For parents, this area offers two larger comprehensive high schools with strong graduation track records and one smaller alternative option, all dedicated to serving a community with significant economic needs.