These are the best public schools in Merced County. Did yours make the list?
Merced County is home to several of California’s top-rated public schools, according to Niche.
The ranking and review site recently released its 2026 list of the Best Schools in America, evaluating schools based on academics, diversity, teachers and college preparation.
Each school received an overall grade ranging from A+ to D-.
“Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make,” Luke Skurman, founder and CEO of Niche, said in a news release on Sept. 29. “Our K-12 rankings bring together rigorous data and real experiences from students, parents and educators.”
Cressey Elementary School in Cressey claimed the top spot on Niche’s 2026 Best Schools in Merced County list, ranking No. 1 among the county’s top 10 public schools.
The school also led Niche’s list of the best public elementary schools in Merced County.
Niche also ranked the best private schools in Merced County. Stone Ridge Christian School in Merced was No. 1, while Merced’s Our Lady of Mercy School came in second place.
Here’s a look at the top public elementary, middle and high schools in Merced County for 2026, as ranked by Niche:
What are the best elementary schools in Merced County?
These were the top 10 best public elementary schools in Merced County for 2026, according to Niche:
1. Cressey Elementary School in Cressey
2. McSwain Elementary School in Merced
3. Snelling-Merced Falls Elementary School in Snelling
4. Peggy Heller Elementary School in Atwater
5. Elmer Wood Elementary School in Atwater
6. Westside Union Elementary School in Los Banos
7. Yamato Colony Elementary School in Livingston
8. Frank Sparkes Elementary School in Winton
9. Elim Elementary School in Hilmar
10. Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced
What are the best middle schools in Merced County?
Here are the top 10 public middle schools in Merced County for 2026, Niche said:
1. McSwain Elementary School in Merced
2. Snelling-Merced Falls Elementary School in Snelling
3. Peggy Heller Elementary School in Atwater
4. Hilmar Middle School in Hilmar
5. Merced Scholars Charter School in Merced
6. Ballico School in Ballico
7. Mitchell Intermediate School in Atwater
8. Washington Elementary School in Winton
9. Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School in Merced
10. Winton Middle School in Winton
What are the best high schools in Merced County?
Here are the top 10 public high schools in Merced County in 2026, according to Niche:
1. El Capitan High School in Merced
2. Independence High in Merced
3. Hilmar High School in Hilmar
4. Buhach Colony High School in Atwater
5. Golden Valley High School in Merced
6. Merced High School in Merced
7. Le Grand High School in Le Grand
8. Atwater High School in Atwater
9. Pacheco High School in Los Banos
10. Livingston High School in Livingston
How did Niche come up with its findings?
Niche based its rankings on the most recent data available from public sources, including the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Census Bureau combined with millions of reviews from students, parents and residents.
“Key factors include academics, teachers, resources, facilities, extracurriculars, and more,” Niche said.
