Merced County California Schools Calendar

More than 58,000 transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students attend public school across Merced County, spread over 20 separate school districts in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. There is no single county calendar. A family in Los Banos, Livingston, Atwater, or the city of Merced may find that start dates, break weeks, and early release days differ from a neighbor’s, so the first step is knowing which district serves your address.

School District Structure in Merced County

California uses the word “county” for this level of government, and Merced County is a Central Valley county built around agriculture, with a mix of small cities and farm communities. Education is divided among elementary, high school, and unified districts, each governed by its own elected board and led by its own superintendent. According to the Merced County Office of Education (MCOE), the county’s 20 districts are:

• Atwater Elementary
• Ballico-Cressey Elementary
• Delhi Unified
• Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified
• El Nido Elementary
• Gustine Unified
• Hilmar Unified
• Le Grand Union Elementary
• Le Grand Union High
• Livingston Union
• Los Banos Unified
• McSwain Union Elementary
• Merced City Elementary (the Merced City School District)
• Merced River Union Elementary
• Merced Union High
• Plainsburg Union Elementary
• Planada Elementary
• Snelling-Merced Falls Union Elementary
• Weaver Union
• Winton

The structure matters for calendars. In much of the county, elementary districts and the high school district that receives their graduates are separate bodies. Merced Union High School District, the largest, serves roughly 11,000 students at schools including Merced High, Atwater High, and Livingston High. Merced City Elementary serves about 11,000 younger students, and Los Banos Unified, a K-12 district on the west side of the county, is similar in size. Families with children in both an elementary and a high school district can end up on two slightly different calendars.

MCOE sits at 632 West 13th Street in Merced and can be reached at (209) 381-6600. It is led by an elected County Superintendent of Schools, Steve Tietjen, who was appointed in 2017 and then elected in 2018 and 2022, and governed by the Merced County Board of Education. MCOE supports districts and handles fiscal oversight, interdistrict transfer appeals, and county-run programs, but it does not set district calendars. Because county superintendent terms and elections cycle on a fixed schedule, check MCOE’s website for current leadership. Each district board meets on its own schedule, usually monthly, with agendas posted on the district website.

Academic Calendar Structure

Merced County districts generally run a fall semester and a spring semester, though elementary report cards may be organized by trimester or quarter while high schools grade by semester. Specific grading periods are listed on each district’s calendar.

The start of the year is where Merced County differs most from other regions. Third-party calendar data suggests that first days range from early August in some districts to the last full week of August in others, and last days range from late May to mid-June. That is a wide spread for one county, so do not assume a friend’s or relative’s district shares your dates. Spring boards in the county typically adopt next year’s calendar in the winter or spring, and districts then post it.

School-day hours vary by school and level. Elementary, middle or junior high, and high school bell schedules differ, and small rural districts such as El Nido or Plainsburg run on their own timetables. Check your school’s page for current start and end times.

School Holidays and Breaks

Merced County districts typically observe the usual California holidays and breaks:

• Labor Day in early September
• Veterans Day on November 11, often with a recess day around it in some districts
• A Thanksgiving break of several days
• Winter break of roughly two weeks across Christmas and New Year’s
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January
• Presidents’ Day in February
• Spring break, usually late March or early April; third-party data shows many districts clustering on the same week
• Memorial Day in late May

California has no statewide fall break. Exact dates change annually and by district, so use your district’s adopted calendar rather than last year’s.

Linking Your Calendar Searches Across Counties

Families who move within California’s agricultural and coastal regions often compare calendars to plan travel or custody schedules. Anyone weighing a move between the North Coast and the Central Valley can check the Mendocino county schools calendar alongside the Merced county schools calendar. Both counties are split among many separate districts rather than one, but their calendars and climates are very different.

How to Find the Official Merced County School Calendar

Identify your district first. Each posts its adopted calendar on its own website, usually under sections labeled “District,” “Parents,” or “Community,” with a PDF version. Boards generally adopt the next year’s calendar in the winter or spring.

MCOE’s website at mcoe.org maintains a directory of the county’s districts and schools, which helps if you are new and unsure which district covers your address. Individual schools may also publish their own calendars for events, athletics, and activities.

Early Release Days, Teacher Workdays, and Professional Development

Teachers typically report a few days before students for workdays. During the year, districts schedule staff development days when students are out, and many use early release or minimum days for training, parent conferences, or the end of a grading period. These are marked on district calendars and announced through district messaging and school newsletters.

In a county with many small farm communities and long bus routes, early release times affect pickup arrangements, so confirm with your school. California requires staff development time as part of the district calendar, though each board decides how many days it uses and when.

Emergency Closures and Weather Days

Merced County does not face snow, but it has its own disruptions. Dense winter tule fog can delay buses, summer heat and wildfire smoke can affect outdoor activities and air quality, and heavy storms can flood low-lying areas, as happened in the Planada area in early 2023. Extreme heat in late summer is also a consideration for districts that start in early August.

Closure and delay decisions are made by each district’s superintendent or designee. Districts typically notify families through automated calls, texts, or emails, their websites, and social media. Local news outlets that may carry closure information include the Merced Sun-Star, the Merced County Times, the Los Banos Enterprise, and Fresno- and Modesto-area television stations that cover the county.

California lets districts request approval from the California Department of Education to count certain emergency closure days. Makeup-day policies are set by each district, so check your district’s website.

Graduation and End-of-Year Schedule

High school finals usually fall in the last week or two of the spring semester, and graduation ceremonies at schools like Merced High, Atwater High, Livingston High, and Los Banos High typically take place in late May or early June, depending on the district’s last day. Larger schools often hold ceremonies on their athletic fields or at larger community venues, while smaller schools hold them on campus. Elementary and middle school promotion ceremonies are scheduled by each school.

Report cards and grades are typically available through each district’s parent portal. Your school can help with access.

Back-to-School and Registration Information

Start by confirming which district serves your address, then contact that district office or your child’s school. Enrollment and re-enrollment typically open in the spring and continue through summer, and early-start districts may open registration earlier. California districts generally ask for proof of the child’s age, proof of residency, and immunization records. Transitional kindergarten and kindergarten eligibility depend on the child’s age as of the state cutoff date, so confirm with your district.

Supply lists are usually posted on school pages before the school year begins, and many schools hold open houses or meet-the-teacher events around the first week.

Special Programs and Their Calendar Implications

MCOE operates county programs, including special education, early education, migrant education, county community schools, and Green Meadows Outdoor School, and these may follow their own calendars. The Merced County Regional Occupational Program offers career technical training that high school students can take alongside their regular classes. Los Banos and Merced Union High each operate continuation and alternative schools, such as San Luis High in Los Banos and Sequoia High in Merced, which may run on different schedules.

Students who take dual enrollment courses through Merced College may follow the college calendar for those classes. Ask your school about any program-specific dates.

Athletics and Extracurricular Calendar Context

High school athletics in Merced County fall under the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and county schools compete in the CIF Central Section. Athletic schedules are separate from the academic calendar but linked to it. Fall sports often begin practice before the first day of school, and games and tournaments sometimes fall during breaks or near exam periods. Your school’s athletic office has current schedules.

State-Level Calendar Requirements and How California Law Governs Merced County

California sets the baseline that every district in the county must follow. The California Department of Education oversees minimum requirements for instructional days and minutes by grade level, and districts that fall short can lose state funding. Within that framework, each Merced County board chooses its own start and end dates and decides where breaks and staff development days fall, which is why the county’s calendars vary so much.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does school start in Merced County, California?
It depends on the district. Start dates range from early August to late August. Check your district’s adopted calendar.

When does school get out for summer in Merced County?
Most districts finish between late May and mid-June, depending on the district.

How many days are in a school year in Merced County?
California sets minimum instructional days and minutes, and each district’s calendar is built to meet them. Your district’s calendar shows the count.

How do I find out if school is cancelled today in Merced County?
Check your district’s website, social media, and automated notifications. Local news outlets may also carry closure information.

What is the spring break schedule for Merced County schools?
Spring break usually falls in late March or April, and many districts take the same week, but it varies by district.

How do I enroll my child in Merced County schools?
Identify your district by address, then contact the district office or your child’s school. Bring proof of age, residency, and immunization records.

Are there any year-round schools in Merced County?
Most districts follow traditional calendars, though some start earlier in August. Ask your district whether any school uses a different schedule.

Who do I contact about school calendar questions in Merced County?
Contact your district office first. MCOE at (209) 381-6600 can help you find the right district.