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
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
7.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Merritt Creek Academy — Students at Merritt Creek Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN 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: 8.9/10.
How Merritt Creek Academy Compares
See how Merritt Creek Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (218) 625-2689
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 8,757
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,081
- District Rank
- #11 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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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