📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (CAASPP 2023–24), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 20 Rated Districts in Merced County, CA
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
Best School Districts in Merced County, California (2026)
This page lists the 20 public school districts headquartered in Merced County, California that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using CAASPP 2023–24 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in California, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Merced County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Merced County, California? ▼
Among the 20 rated districts in Merced County, California, the highest-rated is McSwain Union Elementary School District (Merced), rated 7/10 (Good) and in the 66th percentile of California districts on CAASPP 2023–24 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (CAASPP 2023–24), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in California and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.