Very Good
#2730 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 32% in state
Merkel Middle
Middle School · MERKEL ISD
P O BOX 430, Merkel, TX 79536
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merkel
#2 of 3
public schools
Texas middle schools
#552 of 1,693
In district
#2 of 3
MERKEL ISD
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Merkel Middle
Merkel Middle serves 242 students in grades 6-8 in the rural community of Merkel, Texas. This public middle school maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #986 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Texas schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education to its middle school students. Merkel Middle operates within a close-knit rural setting where the median household income is $67,788 and median home values are $118,600. The surrounding community of approximately 6,100 residents includes families from various economic backgrounds, with a poverty rate of 16.0% and 13% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The school's smaller enrollment creates an intimate learning environment where students can build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers. Located in Taylor County, Merkel Middle serves as an important educational cornerstone for families in this rural Texas community, providing middle school students with a solid foundation for their high school years ahead.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Merkel Middle 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Merkel Middle — Students at Merkel Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
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
↓ 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: 8.0/10.
How Merkel Middle Compares
See how Merkel Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 28% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 36% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 430, Merkel, TX 79536
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merkel Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HAWLEY MIDDLE (rated 5.7/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Hawley), a more accessible option. Another option is CLACK MIDDLE (rated 5.6/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Abilene), a more accessible option. Additionally, MANN MIDDLE (rated 5.6/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Abilene), a more accessible option. For more schools in Merkel, see our Merkel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MERKEL EL Merkel | 0.1 mi | 8.2 |
| MERKEL H S Merkel | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| TRENT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Trent | 7.0 mi | 7.1 |
| DYESS EL Abilene | 12.3 mi | 7.7 |
| CLACK MIDDLE Abilene | 13.2 mi | 5.6 |
| BASSETTI EL Abilene | 13.4 mi | 7.3 |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Abilene | 13.4 mi | 7.1 |
| STAFFORD EL Abilene | 13.8 mi | 6.9 |
| BONHAM EL Abilene | 14.1 mi | 7.1 |
| HAWLEY H S Hawley | 15.3 mi | 6.0 |
| HAWLEY MIDDLE Hawley | 15.3 mi | 5.7 |
| AUSTIN EL Abilene | 14.5 mi | 7.1 |
| PURCELL EL Abilene | 14.5 mi | 5.8 |
| HAWLEY EL Hawley | 15.5 mi | 6.8 |
| LONG EARLY LEARNING CENTER Abilene | 14.6 mi | 6.1 |
| WYLIE H S Abilene | 15.0 mi | 5.5 |
| MANN MIDDLE Abilene | 14.8 mi | 5.6 |
| WARD EL Abilene | 15.1 mi | 6.4 |
| CROCKETT EARLY HEADSTART Abilene | 15.0 mi | 5.3 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abilene | 15.2 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| A+ UNLIMITED POTENTIAL - UNIVERSITY Houston, TX | 7.1 |
| ALTO MIDDLE Alto, TX | 7.1 |
| IDEA PALMVIEW COLLEGE PREPARATORY Mission, TX | 7.1 |
| JOHNNY N ALLEN-6TH GRADE CAMPUS Amarillo, TX | 7.1 |
| MAYPEARL MIDDLE Maypearl, TX | 7.1 |
| PEWITT J H Omaha, TX | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merkel Middle
What grades does Merkel Middle serve?
Merkel Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Merkel Middle?
Merkel Middle has an enrollment of approximately 242 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merkel Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Merkel Middle is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merkel Middle rank in TX?
Merkel Middle is ranked #2730 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Merkel Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Merkel Middle 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 Merkel Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merkel Middle has 33.0% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merkel Middle a charter school?
No, Merkel Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merkel Middle a Title I school?
No, Merkel Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merkel Middle?
44.6% of students at Merkel Middle 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (785/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merkel). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 242
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Taylor County
- Phone
- (325) 928-5511
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MERKEL ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,127
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,577
- District Rank
- #2 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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