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Average

#1593 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 50% in state

Based on limited data

Merritt Elementary School

Elementary School · Brandywine Community Schools

1620 LASALLE AVE, Niles, MI 49120

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in NILES. Learn more

Enrollment

320

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Niles

#5 of 13

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#899 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 5

Brandywine Community Schools

About Merritt Elementary School

Merritt Elementary School is a regular public school nestled in the large suburban area of Niles, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through second grade, Merritt Elementary offers an early education foundation to its 320 enrolled students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides individualized attention to help young learners thrive.

While academic performance data is limited, Merritt Elementary continues to focus on the development and well-being of each child. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 reflects an opportunity for growth in academic areas but underscores its commitment to nurturing students’ social and emotional needs. Located in a suburban setting with easy access to amenities and community resources, Merritt Elementary School is situated in a vibrant neighborhood that supports education and family life.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average55%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 12 schools in NILES
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average45%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,521

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Merritt Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in MI
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

1620 LASALLE AVE, Niles, MI 49120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merritt Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Swanson Traditional School (rated 9.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby South Bend), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brandywine Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Brandywine Elementary School Niles 0.5 mi 7.6
Brandywine Senior High School Niles 1.5 mi 5.6
Brandywine Middle School Niles 1.5 mi 4.7
Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles 1.7 mi 5.4
Southside Special Educ School Niles 2.8 mi 7.1
Niles Cedar Lane Niles 3.1 mi 6.5
WAY Niles Niles 3.1 mi 6.1
Niles Virtual School Niles 3.1 mi
Clay High School South Bend 3.2 mi 8.6
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend 3.3 mi 5.6
Darden Elementary School South Bend 3.4 mi 6.9
ST MARY SCHOOL Niles 3.5 mi 7.9
Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles 3.6 mi
Eastside Connections School Niles 3.7 mi 6.5
Clay International Academy South Bend 3.7 mi 6.3
Ballard Elementary School Niles 3.4 mi 5.7
Ring Lardner Middle School Niles 4.0 mi 5.2
Niles Senior High School Niles 4.0 mi 3.8
Swanson Traditional School South Bend 3.9 mi 9.5
NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles 3.9 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,940

Median Home Value

$166,800

Median Rent

$911/mo

Population

36,652

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

43

Community Profile

The community surrounding Merritt Elementary School has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Alice M Birney K8 School Southfield, MI 6.3
Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis, MI 6.3
Chestnut Hill Elementary School Midland, MI 6.3
Columbiaville Elementary School Otisville, MI 6.3
Crescent Academy Elementary Southfield, MI 6.3
Davisburg Elementary School Davisburg, MI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merritt Elementary School

What grades does Merritt Elementary School serve?

Merritt Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Merritt Elementary School?

Merritt Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Elementary School?

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

How does Merritt Elementary School rank in MI?

Merritt Elementary School is ranked #1593 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Merritt Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Merritt Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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.

Is Merritt Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Merritt Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

76.2% of students at Merritt 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

City Safety
High (2,386/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Niles). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Berrien County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Brandywine Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,321
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,432
District Rank
#2 of 5

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 methodology

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