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Very Good

#420 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 23% in state

Merino Junior Senior High School

High School · School District No. Re-4 Buffalo

PO BOX 198, Merino, CO 80741

Enrollment

158

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.6

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merino

#1 of 2

public schools

Colorado high schools

#55 of 403

In district

#1 of 2

School District No. Re-4 Buffalo

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Merino Junior Senior High School

Merino Junior Senior High School in Merino, Colorado is a rural high school serving students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 158 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to its diverse group of learners. Located in Logan County, the setting offers a close-knit community feel where teachers and students interact regularly both inside and outside the classroom.

The academic performance at Merino Junior Senior High School shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #597 among Colorado's 1831 schools (placing it in the 67th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% meet those standards in Math. Despite these figures, the school is committed to fostering student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

Merino Junior Senior High School sits in a rural area where community support plays a vital role in shaping educational experiences for its students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 158 students, Merino Junior Senior High 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 Junior Senior High 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,475

Merino Junior Senior High School — Students at Merino Junior Senior High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
24.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Merino Junior Senior High School Compares

See how Merino Junior Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
77th percentile in CO
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO BOX 198, Merino, CO 80741

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merino Junior Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Akron High School (rated 6.0/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Akron), a more accessible option. Another option is Sterling High School (rated 5.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Sterling), a more accessible option. Additionally, Brush High School (rated 5.8/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Brush), a more accessible option. For more schools in Merino, see our Merino schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Merino Elementary School Merino 0.0 mi 4.2
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 Junior Senior High 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
Las Animas High School Las Animas, CO 7.6
Clear Creek High School Evergreen, CO 7.5
Colorado High School Charter Denver, CO 7.5
Community Prep Charter School Colorado Springs, CO 7.4
Denver Center for 21st-Century Learning at Wyman Denver, CO 7.4
Denver Justice High School Denver, CO 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merino Junior Senior High School

What grades does Merino Junior Senior High School serve?

Merino Junior Senior High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Merino Junior Senior High School?

Merino Junior Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 158 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merino Junior Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Merino Junior Senior High School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merino Junior Senior High School rank in CO?

Merino Junior Senior High School is ranked #420 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Merino Junior Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Merino Junior Senior High School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Junior Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merino Junior Senior High School has 24.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Merino Junior Senior High School a charter school?

No, Merino Junior Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Merino Junior Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Merino Junior Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merino Junior Senior High School?

34.8% of students at Merino Junior Senior High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (304/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Logan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

School District No. Re-4 Buffalo
District Enrollment
322
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,096
District Rank
#1 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 methodology

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