Excellent
#849 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 10% in state
Merkel EL
Elementary School · MERKEL ISD
P O BOX 430, Merkel, TX 79536
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merkel
#1 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#456 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 3
MERKEL ISD
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Merkel EL
Merkel EL is a public elementary school in Merkel, TX, part of the MERKEL ISD. The school serves approximately 589 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 90.1th percentile among TX schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math and 44% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $71,346, where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Merkel EL may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Merkel EL — Students at Merkel EL score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX 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 Merkel EL Compares
See how Merkel EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 53% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 43% (2019) to 44% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 430, Merkel, TX 79536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merkel EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DYESS EL (rated 7.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Abilene), with a comparable rating. Another option is BASSETTI EL (rated 7.3/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Abilene), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Abilene), a more accessible option. For more schools in Merkel, see our Merkel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MERKEL MIDDLE Merkel | 0.1 mi | 7.1 |
| MERKEL H S Merkel | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| TRENT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Trent | 6.9 mi | 7.1 |
| DYESS EL Abilene | 12.4 mi | 7.7 |
| CLACK MIDDLE Abilene | 13.3 mi | 5.6 |
| BASSETTI EL Abilene | 13.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Abilene | 13.5 mi | 7.1 |
| STAFFORD EL Abilene | 14.0 mi | 6.9 |
| BONHAM EL Abilene | 14.2 mi | 7.1 |
| HAWLEY H S Hawley | 15.4 mi | 6.0 |
| HAWLEY MIDDLE Hawley | 15.5 mi | 5.7 |
| AUSTIN EL Abilene | 14.7 mi | 7.1 |
| HAWLEY EL Hawley | 15.6 mi | 6.8 |
| PURCELL EL Abilene | 14.6 mi | 5.8 |
| LONG EARLY LEARNING CENTER Abilene | 14.7 mi | 6.1 |
| WYLIE H S Abilene | 15.2 mi | 5.5 |
| MANN MIDDLE Abilene | 15.0 mi | 5.6 |
| WARD EL Abilene | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| CROCKETT EARLY HEADSTART Abilene | 15.1 mi | 5.3 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abilene | 15.3 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 79536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,346
Median Home Value
$133,300
Median Rent
$1,187/mo
Population
6,080
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
80.1%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merkel EL has a median household income of $71,346. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,300, with a median rent of $1,187/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| BRENTWOOD EL Austin, TX | 8.2 |
| BUDA EL Buda, TX | 8.2 |
| BURGESS EL Wichita Falls, TX | 8.2 |
| CALALLEN WOOD RIVER EL Corpus Christi, TX | 8.2 |
| CARVER CENTER Midland, TX | 8.2 |
| CENTENNIAL EL Lubbock, TX | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merkel EL
What grades does Merkel EL serve?
Merkel EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Merkel EL?
Merkel EL has an enrollment of approximately 589 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merkel EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Merkel EL is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merkel EL rank in TX?
Merkel EL is ranked #849 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Merkel EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Merkel EL has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Merkel EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merkel EL has 54.5% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merkel EL a charter school?
No, Merkel EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merkel EL a Title I school?
No, Merkel EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merkel EL?
56.0% of students at Merkel EL 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merkel). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 589
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Taylor County
- Phone
- (325) 928-4795
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MERKEL ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,127
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,577
- 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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