Merritt Island High School

Q: Is Merritt Island High School a good school?

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

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:
267^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,095

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

Number of students: 1,546

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.5%

Hispanic:

13.1%

Two or more races:

8.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 34.9%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Merritt Island High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Merritt Island High School ranks better than 66.9% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 8^th among 17 ranked high schools in the Brevard School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.11. (See more...)

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.

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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (71.5%), Hispanic (13.1%), two or more races (8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 34.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

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...)

Compare Merritt Island High School employs 72.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

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 267^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Merritt Island High School in the ranking list.)

Brevard:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Merritt Island High School.

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Rank History for Merritt Island High School

Compare

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

See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.7)

33%

67%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total 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 228^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 260^th 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)	64	52	12%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	62	55	7%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Merritt Island High School)	57	56	1%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	59	54	5%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Merritt Island High School)	73	59	14%
End of Course Biology 1 (Brevard)	67	62	5%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Merritt Island High School)	66	63	3%
End of Course US History (Brevard)	71	62	9%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Merritt Island High School)	33	20	13%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Brevard)	64	54	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Merritt Island High School)	62	39	23%
End of Course Geometry (Brevard)	62	51	11%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1539	1546	0.5%
African American	86	70	18.6%
American Indian	3	1	66.7%
Asian	29	32	10.3%
Hispanic	211	202	4.3%
Pacific Islander	3	12	300%
White	1110	1106	0.4%
Two or More Races	97	123	26.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	32%	34.9%	2.9%

Schools Near Merritt Island High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)				FAST Math (2024)		Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Merritt Island High School	Public	9-12	100 Mustang Way	Merritt Island	32953	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 454-1000	1,546	73	21.3	34.9%	1,106 (71.5%)	70 (4.5%)	202 (13.1%)	32 (2.1%)	1 (0.1%)	12 (0.8%)	123 (8.0%)	53.1	267^th of 807 public high schools	66.9%		52.5	260^th of 792 public high schools	67.2%	7			54.0	60.0				17.0	55.0	60.0	74.0		$9,095	$1,257	$7,839
Edgewood Junior/Senior High School	Public	7-12	180 E Merritt Ave	Merritt Island	32953	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 454-1030	939	50	18.7	16.2%	638 (67.9%)	21 (2.2%)	116 (12.4%)	80 (8.5%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.3%)	79 (8.4%)	90.1	19^th of 807 public high schools	97.6%		92	15^th of 792 public high schools	98.1%	4	92.0	92.0	92.0	92.0	98.0		90.0	98.0	90.0	97.0	100.0	94.0	$9,943	$1,351	$8,592
Rockledge Senior High School	Public	9-12	220 Raider Rd	Rockledge	32955	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 636-3711	1,558	73	21.3	49.8%	721 (46.3%)	407 (26.1%)	270 (17.3%)	30 (1.9%)	3 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	124 (8.0%)	35.7	464^th of 807 public high schools	42.5%		34.7	448^th of 792 public high schools	43.4%	16			53.0	48.0				7.0	28.0	55.0	56.0		$9,670	$1,483	$8,186
Cocoa High School	Public	7-12	2000 Tiger Trl	Cocoa	32926	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	Yes	(321) 632-5300	1,551	84	18.4	72.9%	533 (34.4%)	430 (27.7%)	434 (28.0%)	8 (0.5%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	139 (9.0%)	22.1	625^th of 807 public high schools	22.6%		16.1	634^th of 792 public high schools	19.9%	9	27.0	22.0	37.0	39.0	21.0	25.0	13.0	28.0	20.0	49.0	55.0	34.0	$10,958	$2,198	$8,760
Project Search	Public	12	701 W Cocoa Causeway	Cocoa Beach	32931	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 633-1000	33	4	8.2	18.2%	17 (51.5%)	7 (21.2%)	3 (9.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (18.2%)								(n/a)
Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School	Public	7-12	1500 Minutemen Cswy	Cocoa Beach	32931	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 783-1776	982	50	19.8	29.9%	743 (75.7%)	34 (3.5%)	113 (11.5%)	25 (2.5%)	4 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	60 (6.1%)	69.5	137^th of 807 public high schools	83.0%		67.3	151^st of 792 public high schools	80.9%	14	65.0	58.0	68.0	67.0	74.0	31.0	49.0	68.0	61.0	85.0	71.0	82.0	$10,206	$1,405	$8,801
Brevard County Juvenile Detention Center	Public	6-12	5225 Dewitt Ave	Cocoa	32927	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 690-3400	16	3	5.3	50.0%	6 (37.5%)	7 (43.8%)	2 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (6.3%)								(n/a)
Brevard County Jail Complex	Public	5-12	5225 Dewitt Ave	Cocoa	32927	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 690-1500	4	1	4.0		0 (0.0%)	3 (75.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (25.0%)								(n/a)
Viera High School	Public	9-12	6103 Stadium Pkwy	Viera	32940	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 632-1770	2,289	102	22.4	14.6%	1,572 (68.7%)	117 (5.1%)	330 (14.4%)	104 (4.5%)	2 (0.1%)	5 (0.2%)	159 (6.9%)	71.6	126^th of 807 public high schools	84.4%		76.9	90^th of 792 public high schools	88.6%	36			71.0	75.0				45.0	69.0	73.0	83.0		$7,820	$1,277	$6,544
Space Coast Junior/Senior High School	Public	7-12	6150 Banyan St	Cocoa	32927	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 638-0750	1,534	80	19.1	48.8%	1,143 (74.5%)	93 (6.1%)	141 (9.2%)	17 (1.1%)	6 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	132 (8.6%)	54.5	257^th of 807 public high schools	68.2%		45.7	332^nd of 792 public high schools	58.1%	75	60.0	54.0	57.0	57.0	72.0	27.0	48.0	53.0	52.0	68.0	61.0	83.0	$9,624	$1,518	$8,107

Frequently Asked Questions about Merritt Island High School

How many students attend Merritt Island High School?

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

What is the racial makeup of Merritt Island High School?

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

What schools feed into Merritt Island High School?

Merritt Island High School is fed by the following schools:

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

Is Merritt Island High School a good school?

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

What district is Merritt Island High School in?

Brevard

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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.