Best Schools in Merrillville, Indiana
14 schools · 10 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Merrillville?
Use this page to compare every school in Merrillville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Andrean High School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech
Elementary · Higher Institute of Arts & Tech. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Aquinas Catholic Community School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Merrillville for 2026 are Andrean High School (7.7/10), Higher Institute of Arts & Tech (6.5/10), and Aquinas Catholic Community School (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
14
9 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$192,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
14
9 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$192,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 6.4/10 despite 68% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Merrillville schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Merrillville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (11 of 14). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrean High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Higher Institute of Arts & Tech | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Aquinas Catholic Community School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | John Wood Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Merrillville Intermediate School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Jonas E Salk Elementary School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Edgar L Miller Elementary School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Henry P Fieler Elementary School | 4.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Pierce Middle School | 4.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Homer Iddings Elementary School | 4.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $61,735
- Median home value
- $192,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
9% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Merrillville compares
Indiana rank
#177 of 218
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Indiana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
86% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Merrillville, Indiana
Merrillville, Indiana is home to 14 schools, including 9 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Merrillville show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Merrillville is Andrean High School with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Merrillville is served by 2 school districts: Higher Institute of Arts & Tech, Merrillville Community School Corp. These districts collectively serve 6,094 students.
Merrillville's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,735. The poverty rate in the area is 14.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 227 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 292 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 593 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.1 | ||
| 4 | 348 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.8 | ||
| 5 | 444 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.7 | ||
| 6 | 471 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.4 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 175 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | Happy Days Learning Center
Private
15 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
| 3 | Montessori Academy of Nwi
Private
7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
| 4 | Happy Days Child Care Center
Private
16 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 769 students · 5th–6th | 6.0 |
| 2 | 899 students · 7th–8th | 4.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,051 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Andrean High School
Private
409 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 | ||
Schools in Merrillville
Merrillville, Indiana · 14 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$61,735
Median Home Value
$192,100
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
38,803
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Community Profile
Merrillville has a median household income of $61,735. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,100, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Indiana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Merrillville, Indiana
How many schools are in Merrillville, Indiana?
Merrillville has 14 schools, including 9 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Merrillville, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Merrillville is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Merrillville, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Merrillville on MySchoolScout is Andrean High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Merrillville, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Merrillville on MySchoolScout is Higher Institute of Arts & Tech with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Merrillville, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Merrillville on MySchoolScout is Merrillville Intermediate School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Merrillville, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Merrillville on MySchoolScout is Andrean High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Merrillville, Indiana?
Merrillville is served by 2 school districts: Higher Institute of Arts & Tech, Merrillville Community School Corp.
What is the education level in Merrillville, Indiana?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Merrillville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Merrillville, Indiana?
The median household income in Merrillville is approximately $61,735 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Merrillville, Indiana?
Yes, Merrillville has 5 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Andrean High School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Merrillville, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Merrillville is 14.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Merrillville, Indiana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Indiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.