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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,530

Birch School — Students at Birch School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 77.7%
School
State
45.9%
ELA Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
58.4%

Based on 12 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
76.8%
ELA
71.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in NY
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (982/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,686
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,369
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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