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Below Average

#1918 of 2,102 schools in WI

Merrill High

High School · Merrill Area School District

1201 N Sales St, Merrill, WI 54452

Enrollment

795

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merrill

#6 of 6

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#414 of 499

In district

#6 of 6

Merrill Area School District

About Merrill High

Merrill High serves grades 9–12 in Merrill, Wisconsin, with an enrollment of 795 students. The school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1, supported by 46 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Merrill High is working to strengthen student performance.

Currently, 32% of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% reach proficiency in Math. The school ranks in the lower percentile statewide (#1755 out of 2112 Wisconsin schools), indicating room for academic growth across core subjects. These scores suggest the school is focused on improving student achievement and tailoring instruction to meet learner needs.

As a regular public high school in a town setting, Merrill High serves the local community and provides standard secondary education for the region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,642

Merrill High — Students at Merrill High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Merrill High Compares

See how Merrill High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
9th percentile in WI
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

1201 N Sales St, Merrill, WI 54452

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merrill High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West High (rated 6.5/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Wausau), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lincoln Hills School (rated 4.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Irma), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Merrill, see our Merrill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Bridges Virtual Academy Merrill 0.0 mi 5.1
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 1.1 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 1.9 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 14.5 mi
Thomas Jefferson Elementary Wausau 14.5 mi 7.0
Maple Grove School Athens 11.7 mi 6.9
West High Wausau 15.0 mi 6.5
Horace Mann Middle Wausau 14.7 mi 6.9
Wausau Area Montessori Charter School Wausau 14.7 mi 6.3

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 Merrill High 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
Bradley Technology High Milwaukee, WI 4.4
Green Tree Preparatory Academy Milwaukee, WI 4.4
Milton High Milton, WI 4.4
Carmen Hi Southeast Campus Milwaukee, WI 4.5
James Madison Academic Campus Milwaukee, WI 4.5
Marshall High Milwaukee, WI 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merrill High

What grades does Merrill High serve?

Merrill High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Merrill High?

Merrill High has an enrollment of approximately 795 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merrill High?

The student-teacher ratio at Merrill High is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merrill High rank in WI?

Merrill High is ranked #1918 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Merrill High's MySchoolScout rating?

Merrill High has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Merrill High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merrill High has 27.5% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Merrill High a charter school?

No, Merrill High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Merrill High a Title I school?

No, Merrill High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merrill High?

36.4% of students at Merrill High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
795
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.4%
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
#6 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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