Average
#715 of 1,280 schools in IA
Merrill Middle School
Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District · Des Moines, IA
A Des Moines Independent Comm School District middle school serving grades 6th – 8th.
5301 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
- Math 74% vs IA 73% (2025)
- Reading 76% vs IA 77% (2025)
- 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Merrill Middle School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
2025 ISASP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 12 points since 2020, reaching 75% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 71% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 75% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
36.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Merrill Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 26Car-Dependent
- Transit 22Minimal Transit
- Bike 41Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,846/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Des Moines), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$82,720
Median home value
$274,400
Median rent
$1,057/mo
College educated
61.9%
Homeownership
64.5%
Poverty rate
8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 50312; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callanan Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.3 | 6–8 | 1.7 mi | 543 | Compare → |
| Ruby Van MeterEnrollment path unverified | 2.5 | K–12 | 1.8 mi | 112 | Compare → |
| Stilwell Junior High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.5 | 7–8 | 1.9 mi | 644 | Compare → |
| Brody Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 3.3 | 6–8 | 2.7 mi | 598 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
- Schools in district
- 59
- Rank in district
- #5 of 59
- District spending per student
- $15,518NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 21.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Merrill Middle School is listed in Des Moines Independent Comm School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Merrill Middle School
Merrill Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District, serving approximately 651 students in grades 6th-8th with a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #715 of 1,280 schools in IA. State assessment records show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Merrill Middle School
What grades does Merrill Middle School serve?
Merrill Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Merrill Middle School?
Merrill Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 651 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merrill Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merrill Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merrill Middle School rank in IA?
Merrill Middle School ranks #715 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Merrill Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merrill Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Merrill Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merrill Middle School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Merrill Middle School a charter school?
No, Merrill Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merrill Middle School a Title I school?
No, Merrill Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merrill Middle School?
36.4% of students at Merrill Middle 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 651
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.3%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8448
- Area population (ZIP 50312)
- 15,492
- Area average commute
- 15.8 min
- Area median age
- 40.5
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 50312; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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