Best High Schools in Zip Code 95348

This analysis examines three public high schools serving grades 9-12 in the 95348 zip code of Merced, California, revealing distinct performance profiles among two traditional comprehensive schools and one alternative charter.

Among the traditional schools, El Capitan High stands out as the stronger performer within the Merced Union High district, with a 98% graduation rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism, and the highest proficiency in English and Science. Merced High also shows solid results with a 93% graduation rate, though it trails El Capitan in several key metrics. Both schools, however, face a significant challenge in mathematics, with proficiency rates below 15%, which is less than half the state average.

The third school, Come Back Charter (authorized by the Merced County Office of Education), serves a different purpose as an alternative school for at-risk students, resulting in vastly different outcomes, including a very low graduation rate and high dropout rate. All three schools serve economically disadvantaged populations and struggle with chronic absenteeism rates higher than the state average, which is an important area for potential improvement across the area.