News & Communications
The MUHSD Communications Department works to support the mission, vision, and values of the district by providing accurate, timely and relevant information to its students, parents, families, staff members and community stakeholders.
Latest News
MUHSD To Return Students to Traditional Schedule
Atwater, CA (March 24, 2021) – At a Special Board Meeting held Wednesday, the Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) Board of Trustees voted to return students to a traditional, 5 day a week schedule once they return from Spring Break on April 12. Currently, students who chose to return to campuses are on a A/B hybrid model alternating days that they are in the classroom...Read more
MUHSD and UC Merced Announce Automatic Admissions Program
At a press conference held in the El Capitan High gymnasium, Merced Unified High School District Superintendent Alan Peterson and UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. announced the Merced Automatic Admission Program (MAAP). Students enrolled in the program who complete specific requirements at the time of graduation will be guaranteed admission to UC Merced....Read more
Athletic Competitions Return To MUHSD
After almost a year of no sports, Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) athletic competitions are back! Several sports including Cross-county, Swimming, Girls Golf and Girls Tennis will have scheduled matches beginning this week...Read More
Buhach Colony High Student Holds Teddy Bear Drive For Senior Citizens
While trying to think of something nice to do for the residents of a local assisted living facility this Valentine’s Day, Buhach Colony High sophomore Leah Chapman got the idea to hold a teddy bear drive. Leah says that the ongoing pandemic has made life tough for people, and even harder for senior citizens...Read More
MUHSD To Return Students To Campus March 15th
Atwater, CA (January 25, 2021) – Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) will mark the beginning of the fourth quarter of the school year with a return to in-person learning. On March 15, students will return to campuses on the A/B hybrid model, alternating days that they will be at schools. Families will continue to have the option to keep their children on Distance Learning for the remainder of the school year...Read More
MUHSD Graduation Rate Tops 95%
Just prior to Winter Break, Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) received some great news. The California Department of Education released graduation rates for schools and school districts statewide for 2020, and MUHSD improved for the second year in a row. The district's graduation rate has reached 95.2%, a percentage point higher than last year despite the ongoing pandemic...Read More
MUHSD To Close Schools To Students
Atwater, CA (December 14, 2020) - Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) will be closing schools and returning all students to Distance Learning effective Wednesday, December 16. Sites will reopen and return to in-person learning on January 19, the start of the second semester...Read More
"Among Us" in the Classroom
The wildly popular app "Among Us" has made its way into classrooms at MUHSD. Some teachers have used it as a reward for completing assignments, while others have incorporated the game into the curriculum. But no matter how it's used, everyone we talked to agrees that it's helped foster interaction in a socially distant environment. View story
MUHSD Stories: Elections in the Classroom
Over the past week, social studies teachers around the district have been following the Presidential Election in their classrooms. It was a very eye-opening experience for students, many of whom will be eligible to vote for the next President. View Story
Students Return To Campuses
Eight months after schools were closed due to the pandemic, sites were once again abuzz with activity. Students were allowed to return to campuses for in-person instruction on November 3rd thanks in large part to the community doing its part to lower COVID numbers in the county. All MUHSD students had previously been on Distance Learning since last March...Read more
Four MUHSD Ag Students Named Nation's Best
MUHSD had four students win National Proficiency Awards at the National FFA Convention and Expo which was held at the end of October. Hunter Aue, Spencer Stephens and Peter Bliss from Golden Valley High and Alyssa Loredo from Merced High were named the top FFA students in the nation for their categories.
Alyssa and Hunter both won for the entrepreneurship prowess in the areas of agriculture sales and beef production respectively. Peter was recognized for his proficiency in the area of national fiber/oil while Spencer's proficiency in the area of natural resources and environmental science earned him the top honor...Read More
MUHSD Board Approves Plan To Return Students In November
Atwater, CA (October 5, 2020) – At a Special Board Meeting held on Friday, the Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) Board of Trustees approved an updated plan that would allow students to begin transitioning to in-person instruction November 2. The decision comes in light of new data from the Merced County Department of Public Health (MDPH) that showed an improvement in the county’s COVID-19 outlook...Read More
2020-21 School Year Begins With All Students Online
The start of school for Merced Union High School District looked a lot different than previous year. Students logged into classes online from home while teachers worked both from home and in the classroom.
Due to Merced County's high COVID numbers, MUHSD was forced to begin school on Distance Learning...Read More
MUHSD Delays Start of 2020-21 School Year By One Week
The Merced Union High School District Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday evening to delay the start of the 2020-21 school year by one week to August 19, 2020. The decision was made to give the district time to program and distribute mobile Internet devices to all of its students...Read More
MUHSD To Implement Distance Learning For All Students The Entire First Semester
After consultation with Merced County Department of Public Health (MDPH), Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) has made the decision that all students will learn online for the entire first semester of the 2020-21 school year...Read More
CIF Pushes Start Of Fall Sports To December/January - Releases Updated Sports Calendar
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced today that the start of fall sports would be pushed to late December/early January. Soon after, the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section released an updated sports calendar showing when individual sports can hold competitions.
"Coffee with the Supt." Facebook Live Sessions
Starting this Friday, Superintendent Peterson will hold a "Coffee with the Supt." Facebook Live session every Friday morning where he will provide updates regarding the reopening of schools in August and answer any question that are out there.
Superintendent Peterson Shares Information Regarding the Reopening of Schools in August
Dear Families and Staff,
I want to provide you with an update regarding the reopening of school on August 12, 2020, along with a full explanation. In early June we were predicting a “full opening” as we were trending to a “Level 3” status per our state level system. Things have changed, and our Merced County's Covid19 numbers are trending in the wrong direction. Hospitalizations have increased dramatically. A full opening is “off the table” per the Merced County Department of Public Health (See graph from the County)...Read More
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MUHSD Partners with USDA and Ag Link To Feed Struggling Families
Merced Union High School District has partnered with the US Department of Agriculture and Ag Link on it's "Farmers to Families Food Box Program". Through June, boxes full of locally-sources food items will be distributed at school sites to families that are in need during this uncertain time.
Keep an eye on our social media pages for information about the next food box distribution!
MUHSD Bond Refinance Saves Taxpayers $15.8 Million
Merced Union High School District refinanced some of its outstanding general obligation bonds to generate approximately $15.8 million in property taxpayer savings over time. MUHSD was able to price bonds in a relatively strong and stable market on May 21st to lock in taxpayer savings and the sale officially closed on Thursday, June 4, 2020...Read more

Graduation Stories: Atwater High Senior's Determination To Succeed Breaks Barriers
When Nancy Salmeron was 15, her parents had raised enough money to send her to the United States for a better life. Nancy was actually born in the states, however her family had to move to Mexico when she was six due to the legal status of her parents. She says that the decision to move to another country without her parents was difficult, but she knew that it was the right thing to do.
“My parents always motivated me to pursue an education, but it was hard moving away from them,” said Nancy. “However, I decided to leave because I wanted to have a better future for myself and them.”...Read More
Graduation Stories: Merced High Senior Leaves Behind A Legacy
In the 1989 film "Dead Poet's Society", a professor encourages his students to get the most out of life by using the Latin phrase "Carpe diem" which translates to "seize the day". It's fair to say that Merced High Senior David Chen seized every day of his high school career
David is a National AP Scholar, a National Merit Finalist, a US Biology Olympiad semifinalist, and he also won the Presidential Gold Service Award. He’s the president of multiple organizations including the school’s science club (which he founded as a freshman) and the local Junior Statesmen of America chapter...Read More

Graduation Stories: El Capitan High Students Graduate High School and College at the Same Time
It was during her Freshman year on the varsity cheerleading squad at El Capitan High when Hayley Moua found out from her older teammates that students have the ability to take college classes while in high school. Three and half years later, Hayley will be receiving both her high school diploma and an AA in Social and Behavioral Science this spring...Read More
MUHSD To Hold Alternative Graduation Ceremonies
In light of the Merced County Department of Public Health's denial of any in-person ceremony through July, MUHSD is moving forward with an alternative graduation. Student will still get to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, however in keeping with social distancing guidelines, loved ones will have to watch from their vehicles...Read more


Buhach Colony High Ag Student To Donate Farm Animal To Foster Home
Agriculture students around Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) look forward to the Merced County Fair to showcase the livestock that they have been tending to all year in hopes of securing a buyer. But when the annual June event was cancelled due to uncertainty surrounding the ongoing pandemic, students had to either sell their animals themselves or participate in an online auction. Mackenzie Paschall took a more charitable route...Read more
Local Business Donates Hand Sanitizer to MUHSD
Corbin Cash Distillery donated 50 gallons of hand sanitizer today to Merced Union High School District (MUHSD). The school district has currently shut down all of its school sites to students, however many employees including cafeteria workers and custodians are still performing essential functions such as maintenance and meal distribution...Read More


MUHSD To Honor The Class of 2020
Merced Union High School District will honor its seniors by lighting up the night sky! Beginning this Friday night, and continuing every Friday night for the remainder of the school closures, all school site stadiums and athletic field lights will shine at 20:20 (8:20pm) for one hour.
“Our stadiums and athletic fields are symbols of strength, commitment, hope, school spirit and most of all, community,’ said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. “We need to show our seniors that we have their backs and give them some hope that their graduation will happen. Let it shine for 2020, at 2020!”
MUHSD Launches A Podcast
Merced Union High School District has started up a podcast, a fast-growing medium, to disseminate information during the current health crisis and school closures. The podcast entitled “Impact” will aid the district’s efforts to provide information to students, staff and the community...Read More
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MUHSD Minute 3/6/20
STUNT competition kicks off, a potentially life-saving workshop for new drivers and a school site's charitable act highlight this edition of the "MUHSD Minute". Enjoy!
YHS Students Hold Fundraiser To Send Cancer Patient/Recent Grad To Disneyland
Yosemite High’s Leadership students held a “Penny War” fundraiser to send former Yosemite High School Leadership student and recent graduate, Larayna Tapetillo to Disneyland and got the entire campus involved. Larayna is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for a rare, inoperable form of brain cancer...Read More
El Capitan High Freshman Joins Fight Against Blood Cancers
Londyn Ekizian, a Freshman at El Capitan High, is known for helping those in the community who are in need. It’s this reputation that earned her a nomination to be one of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) “Student of the Year'' participants. The nationwide program selects students who have shown an interest in charity work to tap into their resources and raise awareness and money for LLS to help find a cure for blood cancers...Read More

Ag Horticulture Class Teaches More Than Just Flower Arrangement
Ag Horticulture classes around MUHSD are gearing up for one of their busiest days of the year...Valentine’s Day. Students and staff typically spend the days leading up to it arranging orders that have come in and preparing for the last-minute rush.
“Valentine’s Day is extremely busy for us,” said Merced High Ag Teacher Mrs. Brewer. “I mean, we’re making arrangements all day long. It gets pretty hectic around here"...Read More
Information Regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus
MUHSD understands that there may be concerns regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and would like to share some information released by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)...Read More

News Archives
- Winter and Spring LCAP Meeting Dates and Locations Announced
- Many MUHSD Student-Athletes Make Merced Sun-Stars List of Top Fall Athletes
- MUHSD Shines In Latest Ca Dashboard Update
- District Ag Students Pitch In To Help Less Fortunate
- Atwater High Drama Students Play Victims For OES Training Exercise
- MUHSD Board Approves Expansive Solar Project
- MUHSD Fills Board of Trustees Vacancy
- MUHSD Band Programs Shine At Weekend Competitions
- Ca Secretary of State Stops By Golden Valley
- State Superintendent, State Board Member Tour Atwater High's CTE Program
- Merced high Hires New Baseball Coach
- Atwater High Ag Teacher Named "State Outstanding Young Teacher"
- Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2019-20 School Year Adopted
- MUHSD To Provide Free Meals To All Students For 2019-20 School Year
- Groundbreaking held for Cathie Hostetler Stadium Project at Merced High
- Free Summer Meals Program To Begin June 10
- Buhach Colony High To Start 2019-20 School Year With New Principal
- MUHSD Announces End-of-Year Awards For 2018-19 School Year
Winter and Spring LCAP Meeting Dates and Locations Announced
Many MUHSD Student-Athletes Make Merced Sun-Stars List of Top Fall Athletes
MUHSD Shines In Latest Ca Dashboard Update
District Ag Students Pitch In To Help Less Fortunate
Atwater High Drama Students Play Victims For OES Training Exercise
MUHSD Board Approves Expansive Solar Project
MUHSD Fills Board of Trustees Vacancy
MUHSD Band Programs Shine At Weekend Competitions
Ca Secretary of State Stops By Golden Valley
State Superintendent, State Board Member Tour Atwater High's CTE Program
Merced high Hires New Baseball Coach
Atwater High Ag Teacher Named "State Outstanding Young Teacher"
Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2019-20 School Year Adopted
MUHSD To Provide Free Meals To All Students For 2019-20 School Year
Groundbreaking held for Cathie Hostetler Stadium Project at Merced High
Free Summer Meals Program To Begin June 10
Buhach Colony High To Start 2019-20 School Year With New Principal
MUHSD Announces End-of-Year Awards For 2018-19 School Year

