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#1734 of 2,102 schools in WI

Bridges Virtual Academy

School · Merrill Area School District

1201 N Sales St, Merrill, WI 54452

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

697

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merrill

#5 of 6

public schools

Wisconsin schools

#89 of 117

In district

#5 of 6

Merrill Area School District

About Bridges Virtual Academy

Bridges Virtual Academy in Merrill, Wisconsin offers a unique educational experience for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. As a charter school located on N Sales St, it serves 697 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.3:1, ensuring personalized attention. The academy has 38 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the diverse needs of its student body.

Academically, Bridges Virtual Academy focuses on continuous improvement and development. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranking at #1188 among Wisconsin's 2112 schools (44th percentile), it demonstrates areas for growth in academic performance. Specifically, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% meet proficiency standards in math.

Located in a small town setting, Bridges Virtual Academy benefits from the close-knit community that supports its educational mission. The school's commitment to providing a flexible and personalized learning environment makes it a distinctive choice for families seeking an alternative to traditional schooling options.

What Parents Should Know

Bridges Virtual Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Bridges Virtual Academy is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Math vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,642

Bridges Virtual Academy — Students at Bridges Virtual Academy score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

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 WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.8%
School
State
51.9%

Based on 14 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
56%
2025
Math
26%
ELA
38.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.8/10.

How Bridges Virtual Academy Compares

See how Bridges Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
18th percentile in WI
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

1201 N Sales St, Merrill, WI 54452

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bridges Virtual Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Kate Goodrich Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NTC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Wausau), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merrill, see our Merrill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Merrill High Merrill 0.0 mi 4.4
ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Merrill 0.2 mi 6.8
Washington Elementary Merrill 0.4 mi 6.1
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Merrill 0.8 mi 3.9
NTC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Merrill 1.2 mi 7.0
Merrill Adult Diploma Academy Merrill 0.9 mi
Prairie River Middle Merrill 1.5 mi 5.9
Kate Goodrich Elementary Merrill 1.8 mi 7.6
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Merrill 2.0 mi 5.4
Pine River School for Young Learners (PRSYL) Merrill 2.0 mi 5.4
Lincoln Hills School Irma 9.5 mi 4.6
Copper Lake School Irma 9.5 mi
Maine Elementary Wausau 11.4 mi 6.8
Riverview Elementary Wausau 13.3 mi 5.1
MOUNTAIN VIEW MONTESSORI Wausau 14.4 mi
Thomas Jefferson Elementary Wausau 14.5 mi 7.0
West High Wausau 14.9 mi 6.5
Horace Mann Middle Wausau 14.7 mi 6.9
Wausau Area Montessori Charter School Wausau 14.7 mi 6.3
Maple Grove School Athens 11.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54452 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,522

Median Home Value

$162,500

Median Rent

$777/mo

Population

18,949

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

76.5%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bridges Virtual Academy has a median household income of $65,522. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,500, with a median rent of $777/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
REGIS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Eau Claire, WI 5.0
CHRISTIAN LIFE SCHOOL Kenosha, WI 5.2
ST MARYS SPRINGS ACADEMY Fond Du Lac, WI 5.2
Wisconsin Connections Academy Appleton, WI 4.8
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oshkosh, WI 5.9
Johnson Creek Public School Johnson Creek, WI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bridges Virtual Academy

What grades does Bridges Virtual Academy serve?

Bridges Virtual Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Bridges Virtual Academy?

Bridges Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 697 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bridges Virtual Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Bridges Virtual Academy is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bridges Virtual Academy rank in WI?

Bridges Virtual Academy is ranked #1734 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Bridges Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Bridges Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Bridges Virtual Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bridges Virtual Academy has 27.7% math proficiency and 40.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bridges Virtual Academy a charter school?

Yes, Bridges Virtual Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Bridges Virtual Academy a Title I school?

No, Bridges Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bridges Virtual Academy?

7.7% of students at Bridges Virtual Academy 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

City Safety
High (2,620/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merrill). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Lincoln County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Merrill Area School District
District Enrollment
2,798
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,547
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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