Average
#1361 of 2,102 schools in WI
Prairie River Middle
Middle School · Merrill Area School District
106 N Polk St, Merrill, WI 54452
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merrill
#3 of 6
public schools
Wisconsin middle schools
#342 of 387
In district
#3 of 6
Merrill Area School District
About Prairie River Middle
Prairie River Middle, situated in Merrill, Wisconsin, is a regular public middle school serving students in grades five through eight. With an enrollment of 541 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school ensures that each child receives individual attention from its 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on 106 N Polk St, Prairie River Middle is set in a town environment where community ties are strong.
Prairie River Middle's academic performance shows room for improvement with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and a state ranking at the 31st percentile among Wisconsin schools. In terms of standardized test scores, 32% of students meet or exceed proficiency in ELA/Reading, while 35% achieve the same in Math. The school is focused on developing its academic programs to better support student success.
Prairie River Middle stands as an integral part of the Merrill community, offering a warm and supportive educational setting for middle schoolers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie River Middle — Students at Prairie River Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Prairie River Middle Compares
See how Prairie River Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
106 N Polk St, Merrill, WI 54452
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie River Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kate Goodrich Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NTC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Wausau), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merrill, see our Merrill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Merrill | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Kate Goodrich Elementary Merrill | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Merrill Adult Diploma Academy Merrill | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Merrill | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Merrill | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Washington Elementary Merrill | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Merrill High Merrill | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Bridges Virtual Academy Merrill | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| NTC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Merrill | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Pine River School for Young Learners (PRSYL) Merrill | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Maine Elementary Wausau | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln Hills School Irma | 10.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Copper Lake School Irma | 10.4 mi | — |
| Maple Grove School Athens | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Riverview Elementary Wausau | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MONTESSORI Wausau | 14.0 mi | — |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary Wausau | 14.1 mi | 7.0 |
| West High Wausau | 14.5 mi | 6.5 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Wausau | 14.8 mi | 6.4 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Wausau | 14.8 mi | 6.8 |
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 Prairie River Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Black Hawk Middle Madison, WI | 5.9 |
| Franklin Middle Janesville, WI | 6.0 |
| Horace Mann Middle Sheboygan, WI | 6.0 |
| Onalaska Middle Onalaska, WI | 6.0 |
| West Milwaukee Intermediate West Milwaukee, WI | 6.0 |
| Central Middle Hartford, WI | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie River Middle
What grades does Prairie River Middle serve?
Prairie River Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Prairie River Middle?
Prairie River Middle has an enrollment of approximately 541 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie River Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie River Middle is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie River Middle rank in WI?
Prairie River Middle is ranked #1361 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Prairie River Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie River Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Prairie River Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie River Middle has 35.3% math proficiency and 32.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prairie River Middle a charter school?
No, Prairie River Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie River Middle a Title I school?
No, Prairie River Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie River Middle?
48.1% of students at Prairie River 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
- High (2,620/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merrill). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 541
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (715) 536-9593
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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