Excellent
#219 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 6% in state
Merrill Elem School
Elementary School · Rock Falls ESD 13
600 4th Ave, Rock Falls, IL 61071
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rock Falls
#1 of 7
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#152 of 2,326
In district
#1 of 4
Rock Falls ESD 13
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Merrill Elem School
Merrill Elem School is a public elementary school in Rock Falls, IL, part of the Rock Falls ESD 13. The school serves approximately 239 students in grades 3rd – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 94.3th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 21% proficiency in math and 23% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $57,909, where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Merrill Elem School — Students at Merrill Elem School score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Merrill Elem School Compares
See how Merrill Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 20% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
600 4th Ave, Rock Falls, IL 61071
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merrill Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montmorency CCSD #145 (rated 8.0/10, 3.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is ST ANDREW CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Dillon Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rock Falls, see our Rock Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST ANDREW CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rock Falls | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Rock Falls Township High School Rock Falls | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Dillon Elementary School Rock Falls | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Rock Falls Middle School Rock Falls | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Lincoln Elem School Sterling | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Sterling High School Sterling | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Jefferson Elem School Sterling | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Challand Middle School Sterling | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| East Coloma - Nelson Elem Sch Rock Falls | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Washington Elem School Sterling | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sterling | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sterling | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Franklin Elem School Sterling | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Riverdale PreSchool Center Rock Falls | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Montmorency CCSD #145 Rock Falls | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Tampico Elem School Tampico | 11.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville | 13.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville | 13.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Jefferson Elem School Dixon | 11.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Dixon High School Dixon | 11.5 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,909
Median Home Value
$104,900
Median Rent
$752/mo
Population
13,482
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
74.9%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Median Age
43.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merrill Elem School has a median household income of $57,909. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,900, with a median rent of $752/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Bureau Valley North Walnut, IL | 8.5 |
| Jefferson Attendance Center Carmi, IL | 8.5 |
| Okaw Valley Elementary School Bethany, IL | 8.5 |
| Park Elementary School Riverdale, IL | 8.5 |
| United Elem Sch - North Alexis, IL | 8.5 |
| BAKER DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL Wilmette, IL | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merrill Elem School
What grades does Merrill Elem School serve?
Merrill Elem School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Merrill Elem School?
Merrill Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merrill Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merrill Elem School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merrill Elem School rank in IL?
Merrill Elem School is ranked #219 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Merrill Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merrill Elem School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merrill Elem School has 21.0% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merrill Elem School a charter school?
No, Merrill Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merrill Elem School a Title I school?
No, Merrill Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merrill Elem School?
77.0% of students at Merrill Elem 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rock Falls). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Whiteside County
- Phone
- (815) 625-4634
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rock Falls ESD 13- District Enrollment
- 882
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,477
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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