Average
#1618 of 2,105 schools in WI
Bridges Virtual Academy
School · Merrill Area School District
1201 N Sales St, Merrill, WI 54452
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,618 of 2,105
In Merrill
#3 of 6
public schools
In district
#3 of 6
Merrill Area School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Bridges Virtual Academy
School in Merrill · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Merrill High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Francis Xavier Catholic School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bridges Virtual Academy
Bridges Virtual Academy is a public school in Merrill, WI, part of Merrill Area School District. Bridges Virtual Academy serves approximately 697 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Bridges Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,618 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Bridges Virtual Academy show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 5.1
- WI avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Bridges Virtual Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Bridges Virtual Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Bridges Virtual Academy is a virtual school, so instruction happens mostly online. That flexibility suits some kids and frustrates others; it asks a lot of self-discipline and a steady setup at home. Think about whether your child learns well on their own, and ask how the school keeps students engaged.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bridges Virtual Academy — Students at Bridges Virtual Academy score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Bridges Virtual Academy Compares
See how Bridges Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Wausau), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Horace Mann Middle (rated 7.3/10, 14.7 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 | 4.3 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Merrill | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Washington Elementary Merrill | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
| Kate Goodrich Elementary Merrill | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Merrill | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Pine River School for Young Learners (PRSYL) Merrill | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Lincoln Hills School Irma | 9.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Copper Lake School Irma | 9.5 mi | — |
| Maine Elementary Wausau | 11.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverview Elementary Wausau | 13.3 mi | 6.1 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MONTESSORI Wausau | 14.4 mi | — |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary Wausau | 14.5 mi | 8.5 |
| West High Wausau | 14.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Horace Mann Middle Wausau | 14.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Wausau Area Montessori Charter School Wausau | 14.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Maple Grove School Athens | 11.7 mi | 6.7 |
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
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 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oshkosh, WI | 5.9 |
| Wisconsin Connections Academy Appleton, WI | 5.9 |
| iForward Grantsburg, WI | 3.8 |
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 ranks #1,618 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Bridges Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Bridges Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bridges Virtual Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bridges Virtual Academy has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.7%
- Phone
- (715) 536-9593
Resources & Links
District
Merrill Area School District- District Enrollment
- 2,798
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,547
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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