Below Average
#1911 of 2,105 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
4.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wisconsin schools
#1,911 of 2,105
In Merrill
#5 of 6
public schools
In district
#5 of 6
Merrill Area School District
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Prairie River Middle
Middle School in Merrill · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Trinity Lutheran School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Kate Goodrich Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie River Middle
Prairie River Middle is a public middle school in Merrill, WI, part of Merrill Area School District. Prairie River Middle serves approximately 541 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie River Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,911 of 2,105 schools in WI.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie River Middle show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- WI avg 6.8
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie River Middle — Students at Prairie River Middle score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 36 test records from WI 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: 3.6/10.
How Prairie River Middle Compares
See how Prairie River Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Wausau), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NTC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), 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 | 6.1 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Merrill High Merrill | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Bridges Virtual Academy Merrill | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| NTC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Merrill | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Pine River School for Young Learners (PRSYL) Merrill | 3.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Maine Elementary Wausau | 10.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Lincoln Hills School Irma | 10.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Copper Lake School Irma | 10.4 mi | — |
| Maple Grove School Athens | 10.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Riverview Elementary Wausau | 13.1 mi | 6.1 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MONTESSORI Wausau | 14.0 mi | — |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary Wausau | 14.1 mi | 8.5 |
| West High Wausau | 14.5 mi | 5.1 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wedgewood Park School Milwaukee, WI | 4.1 |
| Ashland Middle Ashland, WI | 3.9 |
| Black Hawk Middle Madison, WI | 4.3 |
| Franklin Middle Janesville, WI | 4.3 |
| Franklin Middle Green Bay, WI | 3.8 |
| Marinette Middle Marinette, WI | 4.4 |
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 ranks #1,911 of 2,105 schools in WI.
What is Prairie River Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie River Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Prairie River Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie River Middle has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.5%
- 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
- #5 of 6
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