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Very Good

#227 of 862 schools in MS

Top 26% in state

Robert L Merritt Junior High School

Middle School · SUNFLOWER CTY CONS SCHOOL DISTRICT

705 Kinlock Road, Indianola, MS 38751

Enrollment

376

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianola

#2 of 4

public schools

Mississippi middle schools

#34 of 183

In district

#4 of 11

SUNFLOWER CTY CONS SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Robert L Merritt Junior High School

Robert L Merritt Junior High School is a regular public middle school located in the remote town of Indianola, Mississippi. The school serves students from seventh to ninth grade and has an enrollment of 376 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, Robert L Merritt offers individualized attention that supports its diverse learning needs.

The academic performance at Robert L Merritt Junior High School is currently in the lower half of Mississippi schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #559 out of 865 schools. Students show proficiency rates of 21% in ELA/reading and 37% in math across all grades. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth.

Set against the backdrop of a remote rural area, Robert L Merritt Junior High School is an integral part of the community in Indianola, providing educational opportunities for local youth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Math vs. State Avg-14.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,004

Robert L Merritt Junior High School — Students at Robert L Merritt Junior High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.6%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 20.5%
School
State
41.7%

Based on 10 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
15%
2024
Math
45.5%
ELA
29.4%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Robert L Merritt Junior High School Compares

See how Robert L Merritt Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
74th percentile in MS
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

705 Kinlock Road, Indianola, MS 38751

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Robert L Merritt Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RULEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Ruleville), with a very similar rating. Another option is CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LELAND SCHOOL PARK (rated 5.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Leland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianola, see our Indianola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.8 mi
School Distance Rating
CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Indianola 0.3 mi 6.7
GENTRY HIGH SCHOOL Indianola 0.7 mi 6.2
LOCKARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Indianola 0.9 mi 8.1
RESTORATION MINISTRIES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola 1.9 mi 6.8
MOORHEAD CENTRAL SCHOOL Moorhead 8.2 mi 4.5
ROSSER EARLY LEARNING CENTER Moorhead 8.9 mi 6.1
EDNA M SCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leland 14.1 mi 3.9
LELAND HIGH SCHOOL Leland 14.1 mi 7.1
LELAND SCHOOL PARK Leland 14.2 mi 5.8
BELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boyle 18.4 mi 8.3
RULEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Ruleville 20.4 mi 7.0
NAILOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cleveland 20.7 mi 7.4
O.M. MCNAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Belzoni 19.9 mi 2.5
D.M. SMITH ELEMENTARY Cleveland 20.8 mi 4.5
CLEVELAND CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cleveland 20.8 mi 4.8
IDA GREENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belzoni 20.0 mi 5.2
THOMAS E. EDWARDS SR. HIGH SCHOOL Ruleville 20.8 mi 8.1
PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cleveland 21.0 mi 5.5
HUMPHREYS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Belzoni 20.2 mi 6.0
RULEVILLE CENTRAL ELEM SCHOOL Ruleville 20.8 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38751 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,965

Median Home Value

$126,200

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

10,255

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

55.4%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

29%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Robert L Merritt Junior High School has a median household income of $42,965. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,200, with a median rent of $760/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
LAFAYETTE MIDDLE SCHOOL Oxford, MS 7.1
LEAKESVILLE JR HIGH SCHOOL Leakesville, MS 7.1
LONG BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL Long Beach, MS 7.1
RIPLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Ripley, MS 7.1
S V MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lexington, MS 7.1
KOSCIUSKO JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Kosciusko, MS 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Robert L Merritt Junior High School

What grades does Robert L Merritt Junior High School serve?

Robert L Merritt Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Robert L Merritt Junior High School?

Robert L Merritt Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert L Merritt Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Robert L Merritt Junior High School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Robert L Merritt Junior High School rank in MS?

Robert L Merritt Junior High School is ranked #227 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Robert L Merritt Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Robert L Merritt Junior High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Robert L Merritt Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert L Merritt Junior High School has 36.6% math proficiency and 20.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Robert L Merritt Junior High School a charter school?

No, Robert L Merritt Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Robert L Merritt Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Robert L Merritt Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert L Merritt Junior High School?

100.0% of students at Robert L Merritt Junior High 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

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (241/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Sunflower County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SUNFLOWER CTY CONS SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
2,863
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,163
District Rank
#4 of 11

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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