Very Good
#308 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 16% in state
Merritt Elementary
Elementary School · MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SCHOOL DISTRICT
8659 UNITY DR, Mountain Iron, MN 55768
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mountain Iron
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#267 of 962
In district
#1 of 2
MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Merritt Elementary
Merritt Elementary in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 332 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school benefits from personalized attention and support for each child. The dedicated faculty consists of 26 full-time equivalent teachers who work to foster a nurturing environment.
Academically, Merritt Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the 69th percentile among Minnesota schools with a state ranking of #636 out of 2027. In reading and ELA, 55% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 44% meet proficiency standards. The school is focusing on student development and offers various programs to support academic growth.
Merritt Elementary is situated in a remote town, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where everyone knows each other. This setting allows for strong connections between families and educators, contributing to the overall supportive environment at Merritt Elementary.
Score Breakdown
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Merritt Elementary — Students at Merritt Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
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
↓ 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: 7.5/10.
How Merritt Elementary Compares
See how Merritt Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
8659 UNITY DR, Mountain Iron, MN 55768
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merritt Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Hibbing), with a very similar rating. Another option is LINCOLN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Hibbing), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CHERRY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Iron), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mountain Iron, see our Mountain Iron schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SECONDARY Mountain Iron | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| EAST RANGE ACADEMY OF TECH-SCIENCE Mountain Iron | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 020 Virginia | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Parkview Elementary Virginia | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| NLC Transition Program Virginia | 2.5 mi | — |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Virginia | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Rock Ridge Secondary Virginia | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| North Star Elementary Eveleth | 4.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Laurentian Elementary Eveleth | 4.5 mi | 6.4 |
| CHERRY ELEMENTARY Iron | 9.6 mi | 7.6 |
| CHERRY SECONDARY Iron | 9.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Vaughan-Steffensrud Elementary Chisholm | 13.1 mi | 6.0 |
| CHISHOLM ELEMENTARY Chisholm | 13.7 mi | 5.4 |
| CHISHOLM SECONDARY Chisholm | 13.7 mi | 4.8 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Hibbing | 16.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Hibbing Early Learning Center Hibbing | 16.7 mi | 6.5 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY Hibbing | 16.9 mi | 7.7 |
| HIBBING HIGH Hibbing | 17.0 mi | 4.8 |
| MESABI AREA LEARNING CENTER Hibbing | 17.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55768 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,261
Median Home Value
$190,300
Median Rent
$894/mo
Population
2,791
College Educated
26.1%
Homeownership
77.7%
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
49.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merritt Elementary has a median household income of $82,261. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,300, with a median rent of $894/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHATFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chatfield, MN | 7.7 |
| CROOKED LAKE ELEMENTARY Andover, MN | 7.7 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION New Hope, MN | 7.7 |
| MAGELSSEN ELEMENTARY Fosston, MN | 7.7 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Hibbing, MN | 7.7 |
| WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY Saint Cloud, MN | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merritt Elementary
What grades does Merritt Elementary serve?
Merritt Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Merritt Elementary?
Merritt Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 332 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merritt Elementary rank in MN?
Merritt Elementary is ranked #308 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Merritt Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Merritt Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merritt Elementary has 43.7% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merritt Elementary a charter school?
No, Merritt Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merritt Elementary a Title I school?
No, Merritt Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merritt Elementary?
49.1% of students at Merritt Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 332
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- St. Louis County
- Phone
- (218) 735-8271
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 591
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,976
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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