Summary:
ZIP code 95340 has 17 listed schools: 12 elementary, 3 middle and 2 high schools, serving different grade spans. In 2025–26, the average school with reported results was below the state in all three subjects: about 32% versus 49% in ELA, 19% versus 38% in math, and 17% versus 36% in science. The most important finding is that even the strongest local schools generally fell short of state proficiency.
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary led elementary schools in all-grade ELA, math and science, at 47%, 37% and 29%. It was ahead of the next elementary school by 3 percentage points in ELA, 3 in math and 2 in science, but remained 2, 2 and 7 points below state results, respectively. Among middle schools, Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle led in ELA and math, with 41% and 23%; Herbert Hoover Middle led science at 19%. At the lower end, Merced City School District Community Day had the lowest reported elementary ELA score, 17%, while Alicia Reyes Elementary was lowest in elementary math and science, at 14% and 7%. Community Day’s science result was not reported. Among high schools, Independence High (Alternative) led ELA and science; Yosemite High (Continuation) led math, though both were below state results in every subject.
Recent changes were mixed: the average school gained about 1 point in ELA but fell about 1 point in math and science, while state results rose in all three subjects. Notable exceptions include Ada Givens Elementary, up 8 points in science, and John C. Fremont Elementary, down 12 points. SchoolDigger ranked Donn in the 53rd statewide percentile in its category, compared with Alicia Reyes in the 6th; these rankings are separate from test-score percentages. The reported low-income measure is free/reduced lunch eligible for school year 2024–25: Donn was at 60% and Allan Peterson Elementary at 67%. Student-teacher ratios also do not sort schools by results: Don Stowell Elementary had a 21.8-to-1 ratio, yet Donn’s higher 24.8-to-1 ratio came with stronger scores.
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