Margaret Sheehy Elementary

Margaret Sheehy Elementary sits in the heart of Merced, a Central Valley city that's seen growing investment thanks in part to the nearby UC Merced campus, but Sheehy families should go in with clear eyes — the school faces real academic challenges, with test scores placing it among the lower tier statewide. Families who choose Sheehy tend to be deeply rooted in the neighborhood and value the tight-knit community feel that smaller urban elementaries can offer. For parents who are motivated to be closely involved in their child's education and supplement learning at home, this can still be a place to build strong local connections while Merced continues to grow and evolve.