Skip to main content

Average

#782 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 39% in state

Merritt Creek Academy

School · DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

4000 W 9TH ST, Duluth, MN 55807

Enrollment

86

Student-Teacher

7.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Duluth

#14 of 28

public schools

Minnesota schools

#50 of 116

In district

#11 of 22

DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Merritt Creek Academy

Merritt Creek Academy is an alternative school located in Duluth, Minnesota, offering education from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With a student body of just 86 students and a low teacher-student ratio of 7.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The school has eleven full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting their diverse student population.

Merritt Creek Academy is situated in a small city setting, fostering a close-knit community where every student and family feels connected. While the academic performance metrics show room for growth—particularly in math proficiency at just 5% and ELA/reading proficiency at 21%—the school’s supportive environment encourages development and progress. The MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 reflects a focus on student development rather than purely academic achievement.

Merritt Creek Academy is nestled in the heart of Duluth, surrounded by a vibrant community that values its unique educational approach.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 86 students, Merritt Creek Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Merritt Creek Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, Merritt Creek 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,387

Merritt Creek Academy — Students at Merritt Creek Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Merritt Creek Academy Compares

See how Merritt Creek Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in MN
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

4000 W 9TH ST, Duluth, MN 55807

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merritt Creek Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE MARSHALL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Duluth, see our Duluth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
LINCOLN PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Duluth 0.5 mi 6.4
DENFELD HIGH SCHOOL Duluth 0.6 mi 5.9
LAURA MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY Duluth 1.1 mi 3.6
PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY Duluth 1.8 mi 8.1
RALEIGH PRIMARY/EL ACADEMY Duluth 2.0 mi 5.0
LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Duluth 3.1 mi 7.9
STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Duluth 3.1 mi
Cooper Elementary Superior 3.1 mi 6.0
SPECIAL ED. N.P. Duluth 3.2 mi
THE BRIDGE Duluth 3.2 mi
BAY VIEW ELEMENTARY Duluth 2.7 mi 6.7
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Duluth 3.0 mi 5.7
HARBOR CITY INTERNATIONAL CHARTER Duluth 3.1 mi 8.2
SUPERIOR ACADEMY Duluth 3.8 mi
THE MARSHALL SCHOOL Duluth 3.8 mi 6.8
Arrowhead Academy Duluth 4.2 mi
DULUTH AREA LEARNING CENTER Duluth 3.4 mi 7.5
Academic Excellence Online Duluth 3.4 mi 7.3
ALC Independent Study Duluth 3.4 mi 5.7
ALC School Within a School Duluth 3.4 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55807 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,670

Median Home Value

$164,000

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

9,573

College Educated

29.3%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

17 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

41.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Merritt Creek Academy has a median household income of $63,670. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $797/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
BRIDGE VIEW SPECIAL EDUCATION Saint Paul, MN 6.8
SPECIAL EDUCATION FACILITIES Waite Park, MN 6.7
RIVER BEND EDUCATIONAL CENTER Minneapolis, MN 6.9
HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Saint Paul Park, MN 7.0
Katherine Johnson Education Center Saint Cloud, MN 6.6
PRIOR LAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Prior Lake, MN 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merritt Creek Academy

What grades does Merritt Creek Academy serve?

Merritt Creek Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Merritt Creek Academy?

Merritt Creek Academy has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Creek Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Creek Academy is 7.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merritt Creek Academy rank in MN?

Merritt Creek Academy is ranked #782 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Merritt Creek Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Merritt Creek Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Creek Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merritt Creek Academy has 5.0% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Merritt Creek Academy a charter school?

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

Is Merritt Creek Academy a Title I school?

No, Merritt Creek Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merritt Creek Academy?

83.7% of students at Merritt Creek 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,199/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.7%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
St. Louis County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
8,757
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,081
District Rank
#11 of 22

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

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.