Average
#786 of 1,280 schools in IA
Merrill Middle School
Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
5301 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Enrollment
651
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
651
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#26 of 64
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#170 of 248
In district
#22 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Merrill Middle School
Merrill Middle School is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 651 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with plenty of individual attention. Teachers at Merrill are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure every student's academic success.
Merrill Middle School performs moderately in state assessments, ranking 48th percentile out of all schools in Iowa and receiving an Academic Score of 4.5/10 from MySchoolScout. In terms of proficiency rates, 73% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while Math sees 68%, and Science has a rate of 69%. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.
Merrill Middle School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Polk County. While there isn't specific neighborhood data available, Des Moines offers a vibrant community with diverse cultural offerings and educational resources nearby. The school’s location provides students with access to a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for personal growth beyond the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Merrill Middle School — Students at Merrill Middle School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Merrill Middle School Compares
See how Merrill Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 60% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
5301 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merrill Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Stilwell Junior High School (rated 5.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby West Des Moines), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Callanan Middle School (rated 4.2/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,720
Median Home Value
$274,400
Median Rent
$1,057/mo
Population
15,492
College Educated
61.9%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
15.8 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merrill Middle School has a median household income of $82,720. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,400, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella, IA | 6.0 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Taft Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.0 |
| West Middle School Sioux City, IA | 6.0 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.0 |
| Spencer Middle School Spencer, IA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #786 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Merrill Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merrill Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Merrill Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merrill Middle School has 68.2% math proficiency and 72.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 651
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8448
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #22 of 59
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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