Private School Review - Established 2003
Our Lady Of Fatima School
Stone Ridge Christian School
St. Paul School

Best Merced County Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 16 private schools serving 2,131 students in Merced County, CA (there are 116 public schools, serving 59,546 public students). 3% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
The average acceptance rate is 96%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 80%.
94% of private schools in Merced County, CA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 16
  • # Students Served: 2,131
  • Average Tuition: $8,115
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Average Class Size: 16 students
  • % Students of Color: 43%
  • View Merced County, CA School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 16
  • # Students Served: 2,131
  • Average Tuition: $8,115
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Average Class Size: 16 students
  • % Students of Color: 43%
  • View Merced County, CA School Trends

Top Ranked Merced County Private Schools (2026-27)

Map of Los Banos Adventist School
Los Banos Adventist School
Gr: K-8 | 32 students
Seventh Day Adventist
404 Overland Avenue
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-4624
View Profile
Our Lady Of Fatima School Photo
Our Lady Of Fatima School
Gr: PK-8 | 206 students
Catholic
1625 Center Avenue
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-2709
View Profile
Map of Our Lady Of Mercy School
Our Lady Of Mercy School
Gr: PK-8 | 360 students
Catholic
1400 E 27th St
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 722-7496
View Profile
Map of St. Anthony School
St. Anthony School
Gr: PK-8 | 121 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Catholic
1801 Winton Way
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 358-3341
View Profile
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary Photo
Stone Ridge Christian Elementary
Gr: PK-5 | 251 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 1 | Extracurriculars: 1
Christian
2738 Dan Ward Rd
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 386-0322
View Profile
Stone Ridge Christian School Photo
Stone Ridge Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 320 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 12
Christian
2769 Dan Ward Road
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 386-0322
(1)
View Profile
Map of Fruitland Christian Preschool
Fruitland Christian Preschool
Gr: NS-6 | 116 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Daycare / Preschool (Church of God)
2100 Fruitland Ave
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 358-7981
(3)
View Profile
Map of Grace Mennonite School
Grace Mennonite School
Gr: K-10 | 104 students
Mennonite
7200 Central Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-0452
View Profile
Map of Harest Christian School
Harest Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 45 students
Christian
161 E 16th St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 384-0770
View Profile
Map of Highland Preparatory School
Highland Preparatory School
Gr: K-12 | 103 students
Alternative School (Christian)
1292 Estes Dr
Le Grand, CA 95333
(805) 264-4161
View Profile
Map of Landmark Christian School
Landmark Christian School
Gr: K-12 | 43 students
1927 Olive Ave
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 358-0790
View Profile
Map of Longview Mennonite School
Longview Mennonite School
Gr: K-10 | 53 students
Mennonite
12725 Longview Ave
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-7912
View Profile
Map of Merced Montessori School
Merced Montessori School
Gr: PK-K | 65 students
Daycare / Preschool
436 W 21st St
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 722-9823
View Profile
Map of Our Lady Of Miracles
Our Lady Of Miracles
Gr: PK-8 | 140 students
Catholic
370 Linden Ave
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-0017
View Profile
Map of Principal
Principal
Gr: K-12 | 29 students
Assembly of God
1683 5th St
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-5691
View Profile
St. Paul School Photo
St. Paul School
Gr: PK-6 | 143 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 1
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
2916 Mckee Road
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 383-3302
View Profile
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Merced County, California

Merced County Private Schools (Closed)

Map of Acts Christian School
Acts Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 50 students
Pentecostal
2745 E Hwy 140
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 722-6331
View Profile
Map of Planada Christian Academy
Planada Christian Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 11 students
9182 E Stanford Po Box 1047
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-1009
View Profile
Map of St. Luke's Episcopal School
St. Luke's Episcopal School
Gr: PK-5 | 66 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Episcopal
350 W Yosemite Avenue
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 723-3907
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (CA)
US
# Schools
16 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearMerced County Total Schools
202516
202416
202316
202215
202116
202017
201918
201818
201717
201619
201521
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Students
2,131 Students
659,573 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
2025133180179
2024133175172
2023132181174
2022129189185
2021125185180
2020114179171
2019108179175
2018108173172
2017102179180
2016104173178
201594162167
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Average Students of Color
43%
52%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202543%51%34%
202443%51%34%
202340%50%33%
202235%48%33%
202135%48%32%
202035%48%32%
201933%48%31%
201833%47%31%
201728%50%32%
201629%49%32%
201530%49%32%
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Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
136 Teachers
55,645 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202515:112:111:1
202415:112:111:1
202314:112:111:1
202215:112:111:1
202114:113:111:1
202014:113:112:1
201912:112:112:1
201812:112:112:1
201712:113:112:1
201613:113:112:1
201513:113:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
77%
59%

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202577%59%55%
202477%58%54%
202371%58%54%
202271%59%54%
202171%59%54%
202071%58%54%
201933%58%53%
201833%58%53%
201733%58%53%
201633%57%52%
201533%57%52%
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Average Class Size
16 students
17 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
2025161715
2024161715
2023161715
2022161715
2021151715
2020151715
2019131715
2018121715
2017121715
2016121715
2015121715
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Average Number of AP Courses
10 courses
15 courses

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
2025101513
202491412
202391311
202291311
202191311
202091311
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,115
$18,344

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
2025$8,115$18,076$15,012
2024$8,320$17,195$13,254
2023$7,975$16,660$12,626
2022$7,975$15,979$12,187
2021$7,480$15,298$11,800
2020$7,353$14,748$11,512
2019$6,632$14,369$11,293
2018$6,223$13,813$11,017
2017$6,223$13,422$10,708
2016$5,903$12,852$10,356
2015$6,105$11,932$9,939
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Average % on Financial Aid
35%
29%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2020-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202535%29%34%
202435%29%34%
202335%29%34%
202235%28%33%
202135%28%33%
202030%28%32%
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Average Acceptance Rate
96%
80%

Acceptance Rate Trends (2015-2025)

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202596%80%81%
202496%84%85%
202396%84%85%
202296%84%85%
202195%84%85%
202095%84%85%
201992%84%85%
201890%84%85%
201790%85%85%
201690%84%85%
201590%84%85%
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Students by Ethnicity:

0.70
0.74

Diversity Score Trends

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
20250.700.740.65
20240.700.740.65
20230.700.740.65
20220.680.730.64
20210.680.730.64
20200.680.730.64
20190.650.730.63
20180.650.730.63
20170.590.720.61
20160.600.720.61
20150.610.720.61
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# American Indian Students
7 Students
3,575 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
108 Students
71,836 Students
% Asian Students
5%
11%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
20256%11%5%
20246%11%5%
20236%11%5%
20226%10%4%
20216%10%4%
20206%10%4%
20195%10%4%
20185%10%4%
20174%10%4%
20165%10%4%
20154%10%4%
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# Hispanic Students
485 Students
104,429 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
16%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202523%16%9%
202423%16%9%
202320%16%9%
202216%16%8%
202115%16%9%
202016%16%9%
201916%16%8%
201816%17%8%
201715%17%8%
201616%17%8%
201517%17%8%
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# Black Students
26 Students
30,223 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
20251%5%7%
20241%5%7%
20231%5%8%
20222%4%7%
20212%5%7%
20202%5%8%
20191%4%7%
20181%4%7%
20172%5%7%
20162%5%7%
20152%5%8%
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# White Students
811 Students
235,809 Students
% White Students
38%
37%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202538%37%52%
202438%37%52%
202338%38%52%
202243%40%54%
202145%40%54%
202046%40%54%
201950%41%56%
201850%41%56%
201759%43%58%
201659%43%58%
201557%43%58%
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# Hawaiian Students
9 Students
5,499 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
692 Students
188,502 Students
% of Others Students
32%
29%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearMerced County AverageCalifornia (CA) AverageNational Average
202532%29%26%
202432%29%26%
202335%28%25%
202233%28%25%
202132%27%25%
202030%27%24%
201928%26%24%
201828%26%23%
201720%24%22%
201618%24%22%
201520%23%21%
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All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
1 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Merced County, CA?
The top ranked private schools in Merced County, CA include Stone Ridge Christian School, Our Lady Of Mercy School, and St. Anthony School.
How many private schools are located in Merced County?
16 private schools are located in Merced County.
How diverse are private schools in Merced County?
Merced County private schools are approximately 43% minority students, which is lower than the California private school average of 52%.
What percentage of students in Merced County go to private school?
3% of all K-12 students in Merced County are educated in private schools (compared to the CA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Merced County?
94% of private schools in Merced County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).
Which private schools in Merced County are often viewed compared to one another?

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