Best Schools in Merrick, New York
9 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Merrick?
Use this page to compare every school in Merrick 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.
Chatterton School
Elementary · Merrick Union Free School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Birch School
Elementary · Merrick Union Free School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Norman J Levy Lakeside School
Elementary · Merrick Union Free School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Merrick for 2026 are Chatterton School (9.3/10), Birch School (8.8/10), and Norman J Levy Lakeside School (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$679,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$679,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Merrick schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Merrick
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chatterton School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Birch School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Norman J Levy Lakeside School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Sanford H Calhoun High School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Merrick Avenue Middle School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Old Mill Road School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Camp Avenue School | 5.6 / 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
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $169,868
- Median home value
- $679,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58%
- Avg commute
- 38 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 96%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Merrick compares
New York rank
#36 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.3
above New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$170k
182% of New York median
Schools in this city
9
Merrick's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Merrick. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Merrick Union Free School District (3), Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (2), North Merrick Union Free School District (2).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.6 to 9.3 — the spread is inside Merrick, not a citywide average.
- Merrick Union Free School District3 public · 43%
- Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District2 public · 29%
- North Merrick Union Free School District2 public · 29%
About Schools in Merrick, New York
Merrick, New York is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in Merrick perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Merrick is Chatterton School with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Merrick is served by 3 school districts: BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NORTH MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 8,160 students.
Merrick's community shows 58% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $169,868. The poverty rate in the area is 2.8%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 453 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | 594 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.8 | ||
| 3 | 636 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.7 | ||
| 4 | 452 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.4 | ||
| 5 | 488 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.6 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 63 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 846 students · 7th–9th | 6.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,217 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grace Christian AcademyPrivate 143 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Merrick
Merrick, New York · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$169,868
Median Home Value
$679,000
Median Rent
$2,803/mo
Population
35,172
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
96%
Avg Commute
38 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Community Profile
Merrick has a median household income of $169,868. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $679,000, with a median rent of $2,803/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in New York
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 Merrick, New York
How many schools are in Merrick, New York?
Merrick has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Merrick, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Merrick is 7.7 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 Merrick, New York?
The top-ranked school in Merrick on MySchoolScout is Chatterton School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Merrick, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Merrick on MySchoolScout is Chatterton School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Merrick, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Merrick on MySchoolScout is Merrick Avenue Middle School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Merrick, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Merrick on MySchoolScout is Sanford H Calhoun High School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Merrick, New York?
Merrick is served by 3 school districts: Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Merrick Union Free School District, North Merrick Union Free School District.
What is the education level in Merrick, New York?
According to Census data, 58% of adults in Merrick have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Merrick, New York?
The median household income in Merrick is approximately $169,868 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Merrick, New York?
Yes, Merrick has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Grace Christian Academy with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Merrick, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Merrick is 10.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Merrick, New York?
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.
Related reading
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- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.