Skip to main content

Below Average

#1522 of 1,823 schools in IN

Pierce Middle School

Middle School · Merrillville Community School Corp

199 E 70th Pl, Merrillville, IN 46410

Enrollment

899

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,522 of 1,823

In Merrillville

#7 of 9

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

Merrillville Community School Corp

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Pierce Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Pierce Middle School

4.5/10

Middle School in Merrillville · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Happy Days Learning Center

Nearby

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

Merrillville High School

4.4/10

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

About Pierce Middle School

Pierce Middle School is a public middle school in Merrillville, IN, part of Merrillville Community School Corp. Pierce Middle School serves approximately 899 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Pierce Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,522 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Pierce Middle School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • IN avg 5.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,733
Chronic Absenteeism21.1%

Pierce Middle School — Students at Pierce Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 50.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 33 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
70%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
14%
2025
Math
16.1%
ELA
24.8%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Pierce Middle School Compares

See how Pierce Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in IN
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.1%

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

199 E 70th Pl, Merrillville, IN 46410

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pierce Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Merrillville Intermediate School (rated 6.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bailly Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Gary), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Merrillville, see our Merrillville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER Merrillville 0.1 mi
Merrillville High School Merrillville 0.4 mi 4.4
Homer Iddings Elementary School Merrillville 0.7 mi 4.4
AQUINAS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Merrillville 0.8 mi 6.5
Henry P Fieler Elementary School Merrillville 1.3 mi 4.7
HAPPY DAYS CHILD CARE CENTER Merrillville 1.3 mi
ANDREAN HIGH SCHOOL Merrillville 1.4 mi 7.7
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Merrillville 1.7 mi 6.5
Merrillville Intermediate School Merrillville 1.7 mi 6.0
Glen Park Acad for Excel in Lrn Gary 2.7 mi 1.7
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary 2.7 mi
Jonas E Salk Elementary School Merrillville 2.2 mi 5.1
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gary 2.9 mi 6.8
Bailly Middle School Gary 3.2 mi 5.0
Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville 2.6 mi 4.8
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF NWI Merrillville 2.8 mi
Eagle Park Community School Crown Point 3.6 mi 5.4
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Gary 4.0 mi
AVICENNA ACADEMY Crown Point 4.0 mi 7.1
INDIANA HORIZON ACADEMY Crown Point 4.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46410 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,735

Median Home Value

$192,100

Median Rent

$1,267/mo

Population

38,803

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

63.6%

Avg Commute

32 min

Poverty Rate

14.4%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Shelbyville Middle School Shelbyville, IN 4.5
West Side Middle School Elkhart, IN 4.5
Lane Middle School Fort Wayne, IN 4.4
Northwood Middle School Fort Wayne, IN 4.4
Guion Creek Middle School Indianapolis, IN 4.3
Jefferson Middle School Fort Wayne, IN 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pierce Middle School

What grades does Pierce Middle School serve?

Pierce Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Pierce Middle School?

Pierce Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 899 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pierce Middle School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pierce Middle School rank in IN?

Pierce Middle School ranks #1,522 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Pierce Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierce Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Pierce Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pierce Middle School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Pierce Middle School a charter school?

No, Pierce Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pierce Middle School a Title I school?

No, Pierce Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierce Middle School?

64.8% of students at Pierce 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.1%

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.