Merritt Island High School

Summary:

Merritt Island High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Merritt Island, Florida, with a student population of 1,546. The school is part of the Brevard County school district, which is ranked 22 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Merritt Island High School stands out for its consistently high performance, with a 98.1% four-year graduation rate in the 2022-2023 school year, significantly higher than state and district averages. The school also generally outperforms nearby schools, such as Cocoa High School and North/Central Area Alternative Learning Center, on various end-of-course (EOC) and state assessments, particularly in subjects like Biology 1, US History, and 10th grade English Language Arts. While Merritt Island High School has seen an increase in chronic absenteeism in recent years, reaching 25.6% in 2022-2023, this rate is still lower than some nearby schools.

The school's relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, around 35% in recent years, compared to nearby schools like Cocoa High School (72.86%) and North/Central Area Alternative Learning Center (79.63%), may be a contributing factor to its strong academic performance. Overall, Merritt Island High School is a high-performing school within the Brevard County district, with a consistent track record of excellence that sets it apart from many of its neighbors.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 100 Mustang Way
       Merritt Island, FL  32953


(321) 454-1000

District: Brevard

SchoolDigger Rank:
267th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,095 Help


Feeder schools for Merritt Island High School:

Elementary:    Audubon Elementary School
    Lewis Carroll Elementary School
    Mila Elementary School
    Tropical Elementary School
Middle:    Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  21.3 Help
Number of students:  1,546

Racial breakdown:

White:
71.5%
Hispanic:
13.1%
Two or more races:
8.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  34.9% Help


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 Compare Merritt Island High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Merritt Island High School ranks better than 66.9% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 8th among 17 ranked high schools in the Brevard School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.11. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Merritt Island High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (71.5%), Hispanic (13.1%), two or more races (8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 34.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Merritt Island High School is 21.3. 12 high schools in the Brevard School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Merritt Island High School employs 72.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Merritt Island High School is $9,095. 11 high schools in the Brevard School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Merritt Island High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Merritt Island High School 267th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Merritt Island High School in the ranking list.)

Brevard:

SchoolDigger ranks Brevard 22nd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Merritt Island High School?

Rank History for Merritt Island High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 89.86 32nd 484 93.4%
2005 84.96 58th 487 88.1%
2006 90.47 33rd 477 93.1%
2007 90.37 33rd 563 94.1%
2008 87.05 53rd 577 90.8%
2009 87.24 56th 587 90.5%
2010 86.63 59th 620 90.5%
2011 86.69 64th 622 89.7%
2012 73.71 70th 606 88.4%
2013 73.90 102nd 648 84.3%
2014 65.67 174th 687 74.7%
2016 54.93 226th 693 67.4%
2017 52.31 257th 714 64.0%
2018 56.22 223rd 716 68.9%
2019 55.95 228th 734 68.9%
2021 54.61 222nd 746 70.2%
2022 50.25 277th 774 64.2%
2023 52.54 260th 792 67.2%
2024 53.11 267th 807 66.9%
See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Merritt Island High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.7)
0%

0%

33%

0%

67%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Open Quote Over all the school is great and offers the usual clubs, sports, classes and programs offered to other High Schools. My disappointment is about Counselor Dearmin who may mean well, but is disorganized and bullying at times. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, August 11, 2016

Open Quote horrible school - the staff doesn't really care. They can't even handle the tough questions. This school should be torn down. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, April 28, 2016

Open Quote this is a lack luster school, teachers are lacking and don't care, admin is worse always explaining something off like it's not their problem. The school board isn't any better, none of these people could compete in a proper setting. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Merritt Island High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1296 91 22 22 1 n/a n/a 0 1432
1989 1219 78 18 19 2 n/a n/a 0 1336
1990 1133 91 15 22 2 n/a n/a 0 1263
1991 1029 96 14 25 2 n/a n/a 0 1166
1992 978 100 24 33 3 n/a n/a 0 1138
1993 935 103 45 28 6 n/a n/a 0 1117
1994 915 90 41 22 8 n/a n/a 0 1076
1995 977 97 37 30 4 n/a n/a 0 1145
1996 977 97 37 30 4 n/a n/a 0 1145
1997 1016 86 47 37 2 n/a n/a 0 1188
1998 1056 82 40 38 1 n/a n/a 0 1217
1999 1099 90 35 38 2 n/a n/a 0 1264
2000 1619 124 43 58 5 n/a n/a 0 1849
2001 1644 112 45 59 3 n/a n/a 0 1863
2002 1669 96 35 65 5 n/a n/a 0 1870
2003 1669 96 35 65 5 n/a n/a 0 1870
2004 1626 98 35 67 2 n/a n/a 0 1828
2005 1527 98 44 82 3 n/a n/a 0 1754
2006 1458 83 51 96 6 n/a n/a 0 1694
2007 1339 74 48 85 4 n/a n/a 38 1588
2008 1294 80 45 91 5 n/a n/a 37 1552
2009 1289 71 41 87 6 n/a n/a 51 1545
2010 1253 67 35 91 7 n/a n/a 52 1505
2011 1163 71 25 144 6 1 73 0 1483
2012 1164 74 27 146 5 5 87 0 1508
2013 1147 74 27 151 6 6 90 0 1501
2014 1122 85 33 158 6 5 90 0 1499
2015 1196 63 39 174 2 5 115 0 1594
2016 1142 61 37 196 0 2 105 0 1543
2017 1161 68 38 201 1 3 102 0 1574
2018 1138 91 34 197 3 3 103 0 1569
2019 1110 86 29 211 3 3 97 0 1539
2020 1107 75 33 198 2 6 105 0 1526
2021 1089 68 25 192 3 10 100 0 1487
2022 1103 61 28 200 3 10 119 0 1524
2023 1106 70 32 202 1 12 123 0 1546

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Merritt Island High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1432 82.0 17.4 4.8
1989 1336 75.0 17.8 2.9
1990 1263 69.0 18.3 7.4
1991 1166 66.0 17.6 8.1
1992 1138 60.0 18.9 8.2
1993 1117 62.0 18.0 9.8
1994 1076 60.0 17.9 12.9
1995 1145 65.0 17.6 10
1996 1145 65.0 17.6 10
1997 1188 63.0 18.9 6.6
1998 1217 66.0 18.4 4.8
1999 1264 62.0 20.4 0
2000 1849 83.0 22.3 1.6
2001 1863 83.0 22.4 6.2
2002 1870 86.0 21.7 4.6
2003 1870 86.0 21.7 4.6
2004 1828 86.0 21.3 6.2
2005 1754 89.0 19.7 11.5
2006 1694 88.0 19.3 10.9
2007 1588 91.0 17.5 9.4
2008 1552 86.0 18.0 11.3
2009 1545 96.7 17.4 13.7
2010 1505 86.5 17.4 17.6
2011 1483 87.0 17.0 21.4
2012 1508 86.0 17.5 22.6
2013 1501 87.0 17.2 23.2
2014 1499 77.0 19.4 24.1
2015 1594 82.0 19.4 27.5
2016 1543 82.0 18.8 31
2017 1574 80.0 19.6 31.9
2018 1569 79.0 19.8 29
2019 1539 70.8 21.7 32
2020 1526 70.0 21.8 32.4
2021 1487 67.8 21.9 36.5
2022 1524 69.0 22.0 38.5
2023 1546 72.5 21.3 34.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Merritt Island High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1432 82.0 17.4 4.8
1989 1336 75.0 17.8 2.9
1990 1263 69.0 18.3 7.4
1991 1166 66.0 17.6 8.1
1992 1138 60.0 18.9 8.2
1993 1117 62.0 18.0 9.8
1994 1076 60.0 17.9 12.9
1995 1145 65.0 17.6 10
1996 1145 65.0 17.6 10
1997 1188 63.0 18.9 6.6
1998 1217 66.0 18.4 4.8
1999 1264 62.0 20.4 0
2000 1849 83.0 22.3 1.6
2001 1863 83.0 22.4 6.2
2002 1870 86.0 21.7 4.6
2003 1870 86.0 21.7 4.6
2004 1828 86.0 21.3 6.2
2005 1754 89.0 19.7 11.5
2006 1694 88.0 19.3 10.9
2007 1588 91.0 17.5 9.4
2008 1552 86.0 18.0 11.3
2009 1545 96.7 17.4 13.7
2010 1505 86.5 17.4 17.6
2011 1483 87.0 17.0 21.4
2012 1508 86.0 17.5 22.6
2013 1501 87.0 17.2 23.2
2014 1499 77.0 19.4 24.1
2015 1594 82.0 19.4 27.5
2016 1543 82.0 18.8 31
2017 1574 80.0 19.6 31.9
2018 1569 79.0 19.8 29
2019 1539 70.8 21.7 32
2020 1526 70.0 21.8 32.4
2021 1487 67.8 21.9 36.5
2022 1524 69.0 22.0 38.5
2023 1546 72.5 21.3 34.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Merritt Island High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $324 (4.4%) $7,047 (95.6%) $7,371
2019 $235 (3.1%) $7,262 (96.9%) $7,498
2020 $319 (4.3%) $7,126 (95.7%) $7,445
2021 $468 (6.2%) $7,065 (93.8%) $7,533
2022 $908 (11.1%) $7,269 (88.9%) $8,176
2023 $1,257 (13.8%) $7,839 (86.2%) $9,095

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Merritt Island High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 228th of 734 High schoolsRanks 260th of 792 High schools
 1.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Merritt Island High School)6452
 12%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)6255
 7%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5551
 4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Merritt Island High School)5756
 1%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)5954
 5%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5349
 4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Merritt Island High School)7359
 14%
   End of Course Biology 1 (Brevard)6762
 5%
   End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)6763
 4%
End of Course US History (Merritt Island High School)6663
 3%
   End of Course US History (Brevard)7162
 9%
   End of Course US History (Florida)7063
 7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Merritt Island High School)3320
 13%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Brevard)6454
 10%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%
End of Course Geometry (Merritt Island High School)6239
 23%
   End of Course Geometry (Brevard)6251
 11%
   End of Course Geometry (Florida)5750
 7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15391546
 0.5%
African American8670
 18.6%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian2932
 10.3%
Hispanic211202
 4.3%
Pacific Islander312
 300%
White11101106
 0.4%
Two or More Races97123
 26.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients32%34.9%
 2.9%


Schools Near Merritt Island High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Merritt Island High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,546 students attended Merritt Island High School.

Merritt Island High School ranks 267th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Merritt Island High School are 72% White, 13% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 5% African American, 2% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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