Average
#1076 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 34% in state
Merritt Academy
School · Merritt Academy
59900 HAVENRIDGE RD, New Haven, MI 48048
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#132 of 279
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Merritt Academy
Merritt Academy stands out as a high-performing charter school serving 561 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in New Haven, Michigan. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 22nd out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with a strong 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.7 to 1 with 58 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many traditional public schools.
This intimate learning environment spans all grade levels, from early childhood through high school graduation, providing families with educational continuity in one location. Merritt Academy serves a diverse community in Macomb County, where the median household income is $66,473 and median home values average $169,700. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of about 10,765 residents, with 17 percent holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 17.4 percent, reflecting a working-class community with varied economic backgrounds.
The school is situated in a rural setting near the town of New Haven, offering students a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to broader community resources and opportunities in southeastern Michigan.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Merritt Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Merritt Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Merritt Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Merritt Academy — Students at Merritt Academy score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Merritt Academy Compares
See how Merritt Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 42.2% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 55.21% (2022).
Location
59900 HAVENRIDGE RD, New Haven, MI 48048
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merritt Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Will L Lee School (rated 9.4/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Haven Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Great Oaks Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Chesterfield), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Haven, see our New Haven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Huron Virtual Hybrid High School New Haven | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| New Haven High School New Haven | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| New Haven Elementary School New Haven | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Middle School East Chesterfield | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Francis A Higgins Elem School Chesterfield | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Great Oaks Elementary School Chesterfield | 3.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Joseph M Carkenord Elementary School Chesterfield | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Richmond Middle School Richmond | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Richmond Community High School Richmond | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Will L Lee School Richmond | 5.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Anchor Bay Middle School South Chesterfield | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| ST AUGUSTINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richmond | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Compass Pointe Ira | 4.3 mi | — |
| Anchor Bay High School Ira | 4.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Lighthouse Elementary School New Baltimore | 4.8 mi | 7.1 |
| AUSTIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Chesterfield | 5.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Lottie M Schmidt Elem School Chesterfield | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Dean A Naldrett School Chesterfield | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PETER S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Richmond | 4.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Anchor Bay Middle School North New Baltimore | 4.9 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48048 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,990
Median Home Value
$194,800
Median Rent
$1,365/mo
Population
11,065
College Educated
15.9%
Homeownership
82.3%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Median Age
34
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merritt Academy has a median household income of $68,990. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $194,800, with a median rent of $1,365/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Elementary Muskegon, MI | 6.9 |
| Central Academy Ann Arbor, MI | 7.0 |
| Caniff Liberty Academy Hamtramck, MI | 6.8 |
| Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School Benton Harbor, MI | 6.8 |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY Mount Pleasant, MI | 6.8 |
| SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Southfield, MI | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merritt Academy
What grades does Merritt Academy serve?
Merritt Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Merritt Academy?
Merritt Academy has an enrollment of approximately 561 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Academy is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merritt Academy rank in MI?
Merritt Academy is ranked #1076 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Merritt Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Merritt Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Merritt Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merritt Academy has 43.9% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merritt Academy a charter school?
Yes, Merritt Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Merritt Academy a Title I school?
No, Merritt Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merritt Academy?
54.0% of students at Merritt Academy 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 561
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Macomb County
- Phone
- (586) 749-6000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merritt Academy- District Enrollment
- 561
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,486
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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