Below Average
#1693 of 1,815 schools in CO
Merino Elementary School
Elementary School · School District No. Re-4 Buffalo
PO BOX 198, Merino, CO 80741
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merino
#2 of 2
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#935 of 1,006
In district
#2 of 2
School District No. Re-4 Buffalo
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Merino Elementary School
Merino Elementary School is a charming rural school located in Merino, Colorado. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 164 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance data indicates that while 60% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA), only 30% meet proficiency standards in math, suggesting areas for growth particularly in mathematics.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10 and it ranks at #1207 out of 1831 schools across Colorado, placing it around the 34th percentile statewide. Despite these statistics, Merino Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student development and community engagement. Set in a rural area, the school is deeply connected to its local community and offers students a nurturing educational setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 164 students, Merino Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Merino Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Merino Elementary School — Students at Merino Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
How Merino Elementary School Compares
See how Merino Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2021).
Location
PO BOX 198, Merino, CO 80741
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merino Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Akron Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Akron), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beaver Valley Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Brush), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ayres Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Sterling), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merino, see our Merino schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Merino Junior Senior High School Merino | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Ayres Elementary School Sterling | 11.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Campbell Elementary School Sterling | 12.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Sterling High School Sterling | 12.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Sterling Middle School Sterling | 13.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Hagen Early Education Center Sterling | 14.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Akron Elementary School Akron | 23.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Akron High School Akron | 23.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Thomson Primary School Brush | 21.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Brush Middle School Brush | 21.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Brush High School Brush | 21.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Beaver Valley Elementary School Brush | 21.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Prairie Elementary School New Raymer | 25.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Prairie Junior-Senior High School New Raymer | 25.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Green Acres Elementary School Fort Morgan | 27.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Fort Morgan High School Fort Morgan | 27.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Sherman Early Childhood Center Fort Morgan | 28.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Baker Elementary School Fort Morgan | 28.1 mi | 4.5 |
| LIGHTHOUSE SDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Morgan | 28.3 mi | — |
| Pioneer Elementary School Fort Morgan | 28.6 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80741 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,139
Median Home Value
$304,900
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Population
870
College Educated
30.3%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merino Elementary School has a median household income of $80,139. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,900, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carbondale Community Charter School Carbondale, CO | 4.2 |
| Marsh Elementary School Monte Vista, CO | 4.2 |
| Vision Charter Academy K-8 Delta, CO | 4.2 |
| Carver Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 4.1 |
| Miami/Yoder Elementary School Rush, CO | 4.1 |
| Animas Valley Elementary School Durango, CO | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merino Elementary School
What grades does Merino Elementary School serve?
Merino Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Merino Elementary School?
Merino Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merino Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merino Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merino Elementary School rank in CO?
Merino Elementary School is ranked #1693 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Merino Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merino Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Merino Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merino Elementary School has 30.0% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merino Elementary School a charter school?
No, Merino Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merino Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Merino Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merino Elementary School?
31.7% of students at Merino Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (304/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 164
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Logan County
- Phone
- (970) 522-7229
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School District No. Re-4 Buffalo- District Enrollment
- 322
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,096
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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