Very Good
#538 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 30% in state
Mildred Merkley Elementary School
Elementary School · School Town of Highland
9340 Fifth St, Highland, IN 46322
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highland
#1 of 6
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#359 of 1,047
In district
#1 of 6
School Town of Highland
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mildred Merkley Elementary School
Mildred Merkley Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Highland, Indiana, within Lake County. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade students and has an enrollment of 281 pupils. With a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1 and 14 full-time equivalent teachers, Mildred Merkley Elementary provides a learning environment that supports individual attention.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks at #864 among 1,831 schools in Indiana, placing it around the 53rd percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 26% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 39% achieve this level in Math. The Science scores indicate there is room for improvement, with no students reaching proficiency as of recent assessments.
The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering students access to community resources and amenities typical of the region. Mildred Merkley Elementary School serves its local community by providing educational opportunities tailored to the needs of young learners in Highland.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Mildred Merkley Elementary School is 20.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Mildred Merkley Elementary School — Students at Mildred Merkley Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN 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: 8.8/10.
How Mildred Merkley Elementary School Compares
See how Mildred Merkley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 51.05% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 44.06% (2025).
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. MORNING STAR ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Griffith), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Frank H Hammond Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Munster), which scores slightly 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 | 6.2 |
| Highland High School Highland | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| 2450 CHILDCARE INC DBA HAPPY DAYS CHILDCARE Highland | 1.3 mi | — |
| Beiriger Elementary School Griffith | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Highland | 1.2 mi | — |
| Judith Morton Johnston Elementary Highland | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Griffth Jr/Sr High School Griffith | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond | 2.4 mi | 2.7 |
| MORNING STAR ACADEMY Hammond | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Elsie Wadsworth Elementary School Griffith | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Frank H Hammond Elementary School Munster | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond | 2.9 mi | 3.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mildred Merkley Elementary School has a median household income of $76,219. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,500, with a median rent of $1,202/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mishawaka, IN | 7.2 |
| College Corner Union Elem School College Corner, IN | 7.2 |
| Hailmann Elementary School Laporte, IN | 7.2 |
| Knightstown Elementary School Knightstown, IN | 7.2 |
| Laurel School Laurel, IN | 7.2 |
| Lawrence County Independent Schools Bedford, IN | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #538 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Mildred Merkley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mildred Merkley Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Mildred Merkley Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mildred Merkley Elementary School has 51.2% math proficiency and 42.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Highland). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (219) 922-5640
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School Town of Highland- District Enrollment
- 3,069
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,938
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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