Very Good
#1358 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 29% in state
Birch School
Elementary School · MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
2400 CENTRAL PKWY, Merrick, NY 11566
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merrick
#4 of 7
public schools
New York elementary schools
#837 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 3
MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Birch School
Birch School serves 594 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Merrick, offering a strong elementary education with impressive academic outcomes. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and support. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #211 out of 4,758 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile.
Students consistently excel in both core subjects, with 72% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and an even stronger 77% reaching proficiency in Math. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective teaching practices. Birch School benefits from its location in an affluent and educated community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's median household income of $172,868 and low poverty rate of 2.5% create a supportive environment for learning. Families in the area demonstrate a strong commitment to education, with median home values reaching $656,100. The school operates within Merrick's large suburban setting, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities of a well-established Long Island community that values educational achievement.
Score Breakdown
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Birch School — Students at Birch School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 12 test records from NY 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: 6.1/10.
How Birch School Compares
See how Birch School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2021).
Location
2400 CENTRAL PKWY, Merrick, NY 11566
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Birch School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEO F GIBLYN SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores notably higher. Another option is PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL OF LONG ISLAND (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, OLD MILL ROAD SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Merrick, see our Merrick schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NORMAN J LEVY LAKESIDE SCHOOL Merrick | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Merrick | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| CHATTERTON SCHOOL Merrick | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| MERRICK AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL Merrick | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| SANFORD H CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL Merrick | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| COLUMBUS AVENUE SCHOOL Freeport | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| NEW VISIONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| CAMP AVENUE SCHOOL Merrick | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bellmore | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| JOHN W DODD MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| WELLINGTON C MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL Bellmore | 1.6 mi | 9.0 |
| THE CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER Roosevelt | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| PARK AVENUE SCHOOL North Merrick | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| ULYSSES BYAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Roosevelt | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL OF LONG ISLAND Merrick | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| LEO F GIBLYN SCHOOL Freeport | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| WOODWARD CHILDRENS CENTER Freeport | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| SHORE ROAD SCHOOL Bellmore | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| ARCHER STREET SCHOOL Freeport | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| OLD MILL ROAD SCHOOL Merrick | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11566 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$169,868
Median Home Value
$679,000
Median Rent
$2,803/mo
Population
35,172
College Educated
57.7%
Homeownership
95.5%
Avg Commute
37.6 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Birch School has a median household income of $169,868. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $679,000, with a median rent of $2,803/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANDREW T MORROW SCHOOL Islandia, NY | 7.3 |
| ARONGEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park, NY | 7.3 |
| CHERRY ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 7.3 |
| EAST STREET SCHOOL Hicksville, NY | 7.3 |
| EAST VILLAGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL (THE) New York, NY | 7.3 |
| EASTPLAIN SCHOOL N. Massapequa, NY | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Birch School
What grades does Birch School serve?
Birch School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Birch School?
Birch School has an enrollment of approximately 594 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Birch School?
The student-teacher ratio at Birch School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Birch School rank in NY?
Birch School is ranked #1358 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Birch School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birch School has a composite rating of 7.3 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.
What are the test scores at Birch School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birch School has 77.7% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Birch School a charter school?
No, Birch School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Birch School a Title I school?
No, Birch School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birch School?
7.7% of students at Birch 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 594
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 7.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Nassau County
- Phone
- (516) 992-7250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,686
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,369
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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