Top Rankings
Merrill Area School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Wisconsin for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,848 students in Merrill Area School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Wisconsin.
Public Schools in Merrill Area School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Wisconsin public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 38% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Wisconsin public school average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (WI)
# Schools
7 Schools
2,222 Schools
# Students
2,848 Students
813,989 Students
# Teachers
178 Teachers
58,974 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Merrill Area School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 443 school districts in Wisconsin (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 70% has decreased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#243 out of 447 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
38%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
44%
Graduation Rate
70%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.24
0.53
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
4%
14%
% Black
1%
9%
% White
87%
67%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,504 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,038. The school district revenue/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,503 is less than the state median of $17,011. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$47 MM
$13,869 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$13,846 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,504
$17,038
Spending / Student
$15,503
$17,011
Best Merrill Area School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kate Goodrich Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 W 10th St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5233
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-5233
Gr: K-2 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1900 E 6th St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2373
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2373
Gr: 3-4 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Merrill Adult Diploma Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1004 E 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-1431
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-1431
Gr: 10-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Bridges Virtual Academy
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 56% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1201 N Sales St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 539-8360
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 539-8360
Gr: PK-12 | 747 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Prairie River Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
106 N Polk St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9593
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9593
Gr: 5-8 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Merrill High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 N Sales St
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-4594
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-4594
Gr: 9-12 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
W4165 Highway 64
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2392
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-2392
Gr: PK | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Merrill Area School District?
Merrill Area School District manages 7 public schools serving 2,848 students.
What is the rank of Merrill Area School District?
Merrill Area School District is ranked #275 out of 443 school districts in Wisconsin (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Wisconsin school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Merrill Area School District?
87% of Merrill Area School District students are White, 6% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Merrill Area School District?
Merrill Area School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Wisconsin state average of 14:1.
What is Merrill Area School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,503 is less than the state median of $17,011. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
