Public School Review - Established 2003

Merritt Elementary School vs. Ballard Elementary School

Should you attend Merritt Elementary School or Ballard Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Merritt Elementary School
1620 Lasalle Ave
Niles, MI 49120
Ballard Elementary School
1601 W Chicago Rd
Niles, MI 49120
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings
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Ballard Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Michigan for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)
Overview
Merritt Elementary School serves 320 students in grades Prekindergarten-2. 
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is lower than the Michigan state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black).
Serving 576 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Ballard Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Michigan for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 39% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 33% (which is lower than the Michigan state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is higher than the Michigan state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black).
Grades Offered
PK-2
PK-5
Total Students
320 students
576 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Merritt Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Ballard Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
54% | 46%
51% | 49%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Merritt Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Ballard Elementary School.
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
28 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Merritt Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Ballard Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
21:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and the state of Michigan, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Niles Community Schools School District and the state of Michigan, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

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#1660 out of 3069 schools in MI
(Bottom 50%)
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This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Ballard Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
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39%
(Top 50% in MI)
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This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ballard Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Niles Community Schools School District and Michigan public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
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33%
(Bottom 50% in MI)
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This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ballard Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Niles Community Schools School District and Michigan public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
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35-39%
(Top 50% in MI)
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This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ballard Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Niles Community Schools School District and Michigan public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Merritt Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Ballard Elementary School by grade.
Kindergarten Students
136
135
Grade 1 Students
87
81
Grade 2 Students
97
96
Grade 3 Students
-
96
Grade 4 Students
-
85
Grade 5 Students
-
83

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Merritt Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Niles Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Asian
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Merritt Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2012-13 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Niles Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Hispanic
8%
15%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Merritt Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Niles Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
4%
11%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Merritt Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Niles Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
74%
60%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Merritt Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Niles Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
1%
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% Two or more races
12%
13%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Merritt Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Niles Community Schools School District and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.43
0.59
This chart showcases the diversity score of Merritt Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Ballard Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Niles Community Schools School District and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
69%
75%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Merritt Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Ballard Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Niles Community Schools School District and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Merritt Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Brandywine Community Schools School District and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Ballard Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Niles Community Schools School District and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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