Photo: Father of Nehrams2020 · CC BY-SA 3.0Atwater’s public schools outscore 51% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Atwater, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 23% of Atwater’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Atwater’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 425 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Atwater’s, its schools beat 68%, higher than their 51% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Merced Union High spends $18,331 per student and Atwater Elementary $17,987, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Anthony School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Atwater’s grade
B−: better than 51% of California school districts, #469 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Atwater, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Atwater · depends on your address
Mitchell Intermediate
Grades 7–8 · 744 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Peggy Heller Elementary
Grades K–8 · 712 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Bellevue Senior Elementary
Grades 7–8 · 178 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Atwater · depends on your address
Mitchell Intermediate
Grades 7–8 · 744 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Peggy Heller Elementary
Grades K–8 · 712 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Bellevue Senior Elementary
Grades 7–8 · 178 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Atwater · depends on your address
Atwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,029 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Buhach Colony High
Grades 9–12 · 1,704 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Atwater · depends on your address
Atwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,029 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Buhach Colony High
Grades 9–12 · 1,704 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Atwater · depends on your address
Atwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,029 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Buhach Colony High
Grades 9–12 · 1,704 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Atwater · depends on your address
Atwater High
Grades 9–12 · 2,029 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Buhach Colony High
Grades 9–12 · 1,704 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Atwater runs its own schools through grade 8 (Atwater Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Merced Union High School District, shared with Livingston and Merced. Parts of Atwater (2% of its land) are served by Merced City Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Atwater
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Atwater vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Atwater’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Atwater | B− | Atwater Elementary K–8 · Merced Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Atwater
14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Atwater Senior Academy).
Questions about Atwater’s schools
Are Atwater’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Atwater children attend outscore 51% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #469 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Atwater in?
Two districts: Atwater Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Merced Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Livingston and Merced.
Where do Atwater kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Atwater High and Buhach Colony High.
What is Atwater’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Merced Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Atwater spend per student?
$18,331 in Merced Union High School District and $17,987 in Atwater Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Atwater?
Yes: St. Anthony School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 109 students).
Parents talk
What Atwater families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Atwater → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.