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Buhach Grammar SchoolBuhach Grammar School · Photo: Saeidb · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in McSwain · Merced Union High School District, McSwain Union Elementary School District

McSwain’s public schools outscore 52% of California districts

The grade covers the two public school districts serving McSwain, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in McSwain’s districts is 17%, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#459of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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.

Reading proficiency
43%
▼ 4 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
17%
▼ 16 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 10 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.3K
▼ 14% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Merced Union High
Students per teacher
20.9
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
11,467 students on the public path
In brief

McSwain’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 370 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of McSwain’s, its schools beat 29%, lower than their 52% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% 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 McSwain Union Elementary $14,035, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind McSwain’s grade

C+ Test scoresA− Graduation

B−: better than 52% of California school districts, #459 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 52%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (370)Better than 29%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,195 test results and a graduating class of 2,730 could put McSwain anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of McSwain’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,199 in math, 3,192 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve McSwain, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–8McSwain Elementaryin MercedB
9–126 high schoolsDepends on your addressB−

McSwain runs its own schools through grade 8 (McSwain Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Merced Union High School District, shared with Atwater, Livingston and Merced. Its school is in Merced. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve McSwain

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Merced Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 9 schools · 11,061 students · 20.9 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$18,331CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
McSwain Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 1 schools · 912 students, up 9% since 2020–21 · 20.9 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$14,035CA $21,206 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Merced Union High School District41%
State average 46.7% · 2613 students tested
Math · 9–12, Merced Union High School District13%
State average 33.1% · 2620 students tested
Reading · K–8, McSwain Union Elementary School District53%
State average 46.7% · 579 students tested
Math · K–8, McSwain Union Elementary School District34%
State average 33.1% · 579 students tested

McSwain vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share McSwain’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
McSwainB−McSwain Union Elementary K–8 · Merced Union High 9–12
AtwaterB−Atwater Elementary K–8 · Merced Union High 9–12

Every school in McSwain

7 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).

Also serving McSwainin other towns
McSwain Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Merced
B
912 students21:1Rate it →
Atwater High
High · Grades 9–12 · Atwater
B−
2,029 students21:1Rate it →
Merced High
High · Grades 9–12 · Merced
B−
1,943 students23:1Rate it →
Golden Valley High
High · Grades 9–12 · Merced
B−
1,917 students21:1Rate it →
El Capitan High
High · Grades 9–12 · Merced
B−
1,793 students21:1Rate it →
Buhach Colony High
High · Grades 9–12 · Atwater
B−
1,704 students23:1Rate it →
Livingston High
High · Grades 9–12 · Livingston
B−
1,169 students21:1Rate it →

Questions about McSwain’s schools

Are McSwain’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of California: the public schools McSwain children attend outscore 52% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #459 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is McSwain in?

Two districts: McSwain Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Merced Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Atwater, Livingston and Merced.

Where do McSwain kids go to high school?

One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Atwater High, Merced High, Golden Valley High, El Capitan High, Buhach Colony High and Livingston High.

What is McSwain’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 McSwain spend per student?

$18,331 in Merced Union High School District and $14,035 in McSwain Union Elementary School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What McSwain families are saying about school.

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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.