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Average

#998 of 1,823 schools in IN

Mildred Merkley Elementary School

Elementary School · School Town of Highland

9340 Fifth St, Highland, IN 46322

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

20.1:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#998 of 1,823

In Highland

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

School Town of Highland

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Mildred Merkley Elementary School

6.2/10

Elementary School in Highland · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland Middle School

5.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Highland High School

5.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mildred Merkley Elementary School

Mildred Merkley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Highland, IN, part of School Town of Highland. Mildred Merkley Elementary School serves approximately 281 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Mildred Merkley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #998 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Mildred Merkley Elementary School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Mildred Merkley Elementary School runs 20.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,938
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

Mildred Merkley Elementary School — Students at Mildred Merkley Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
80%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
52%
2025
Math
50.6%
ELA
43.8%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Mildred Merkley Elementary School Compares

See how Mildred Merkley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
45th percentile in IN
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

9340 Fifth St, Highland, IN 46322

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mildred Merkley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frank H Hammond Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Munster), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ernest R Elliott Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Munster), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MORNING STAR ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Highland, see our Highland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Middle School Highland 0.2 mi 5.1
Highland High School Highland 0.3 mi 5.9
Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland 0.6 mi 6.2
HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Highland 0.7 mi 6.8
OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Highland 0.9 mi 7.0
Southridge Elementary School Highland 0.8 mi 5.9
2450 CHILDCARE INC DBA HAPPY DAYS CHILDCARE Highland 1.3 mi
Beiriger Elementary School Griffith 1.2 mi 6.3
BIBLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Highland 1.2 mi
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary Highland 1.5 mi 5.2
Griffth Jr/Sr High School Griffith 1.3 mi 5.6
CALUMET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Griffith 1.5 mi 8.7
ST MARY SCHOOL Griffith 1.8 mi 7.6
Ernest R Elliott Elementary School Munster 1.9 mi 8.5
Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond 2.4 mi 3.1
MORNING STAR ACADEMY Hammond 2.6 mi 8.2
Elsie Wadsworth Elementary School Griffith 2.1 mi 5.7
Frank H Hammond Elementary School Munster 2.1 mi 8.6
Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond 2.9 mi 4.0
Morton Elementary School Hammond 3.0 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,219

Median Home Value

$219,500

Median Rent

$1,202/mo

Population

23,749

College Educated

30.1%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

44.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland, IN 6.2
North Vermillion Elementary School Cayuga, IN 6.2
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sellersburg, IN 6.2
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN 6.2
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greensburg, IN 6.2
CENTRAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL New Haven, IN 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mildred Merkley Elementary School

What grades does Mildred Merkley Elementary School serve?

Mildred Merkley Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Mildred Merkley Elementary School?

Mildred Merkley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mildred Merkley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mildred Merkley Elementary School is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mildred Merkley Elementary School rank in IN?

Mildred Merkley Elementary School ranks #998 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Mildred Merkley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mildred Merkley Elementary 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 Mildred Merkley Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mildred Merkley Elementary School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Mildred Merkley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Mildred Merkley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mildred Merkley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Mildred Merkley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mildred Merkley Elementary School?

46.6% of students at Mildred Merkley 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

District

School Town of Highland
District Enrollment
3,069
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,938
District Rank
#2 of 6

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