Merrill Middle School

Summary:

Merrill Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 634 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 301 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Merrill Middle School consistently outperforms the district and state in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 77.3% of Merrill's 8th-grade students were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to 56.4% for the district and 77.5% for the state. Similarly, 69% of Merrill's 8th-graders were proficient in Mathematics, compared to 50.7% for the district and 73.2% for the state. Merrill's student population is also more diverse than some nearby schools, with 59.15% White, 15.93% African American, 12.46% Hispanic, 3.31% Asian, and 8.52% two or more races.

Despite Merrill's strong academic performance, the school faces challenges related to socioeconomic factors, with 44.64% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. This is higher than the state average and suggests a need to address issues related to access to resources, academic support, and social-emotional well-being for students from low-income families. When compared to other schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District, Merrill's performance stands out, indicating that the school may have effective practices or resources that could be shared to help improve the performance of other district schools.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 5301 Grand Ave
       Des Moines, IA  50312


(515) 242-8448

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
224th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,938 Help


Students who attend Merrill Middle School usually attend:

High:    Roosevelt High School

Feeder schools for Merrill Middle School:

Elementary:    Cowles Elementary School
    Hanawalt Elementary
    Windsor Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  634

Racial breakdown:

White:
59.1%
African American:
15.9%
Hispanic:
12.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  44.6% Help


 See top rated Iowa middle schools

 Compare Merrill Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Merrill Middle School ranks worse than 66.5% of middle schools in Iowa. It also ranks first among 10 ranked middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 42.53. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Merrill Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (59.1%), African American (15.9%), Hispanic (12.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 44.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Merrill Middle School is 17.5. 6 middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Merrill Middle School employs 36.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Merrill Middle School is $12,938, which is the lowest among 10 middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Merrill Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Merrill Middle School 224th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Merrill Middle School in the ranking list.)

Des Moines Independent Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Des Moines Independent Community School District 301st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Merrill Middle School?

Rank History for Merrill Middle School

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 50.43 187th 349 46.4%
2013 49.53 203rd 350 42.0%
2014 51.00 186th 337 44.8%
2015 57.27 165th 349 52.7%
2016 60.92 137th 343 60.1%
2017 66.93 97th 327 70.3%
2018 70.25 75th 318 76.4%
2019 47.92 198th 342 42.1%
2021 44.54 204th 324 37.0%
2022 45.12 211th 337 37.4%
2023 42.43 220th 334 34.1%
2024 42.53 224th 337 33.5%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Merrill Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Merrill Middle School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Merrill Middle School, submit a rating!



No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Merrill Middle School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 390 105 9 4 2 n/a n/a 0 510
1989 409 105 8 2 2 n/a n/a 0 526
1990 415 125 7 2 3 n/a n/a 0 552
1991 411 110 5 1 3 n/a n/a 0 530
1992 424 126 12 6 4 n/a n/a 0 572
1993 458 119 14 8 1 n/a n/a 0 600
1994 447 122 9 7 1 n/a n/a 0 586
1995 424 113 6 6 1 n/a n/a 0 550
1996 424 113 6 6 1 n/a n/a 0 550
1997 451 99 5 8 0 n/a n/a 0 563
1998 471 91 8 9 1 n/a n/a 0 580
1999 513 112 10 9 3 n/a n/a 0 647
2000 490 96 14 14 6 n/a n/a 0 620
2001 456 106 17 11 7 n/a n/a 0 597
2002 466 139 12 34 3 n/a n/a 0 654
2003 466 139 12 34 3 n/a n/a 0 654
2004 456 145 12 44 3 n/a n/a 0 660
2005 450 132 9 40 2 n/a n/a 0 633
2006 431 124 14 47 3 n/a n/a 0 619
2007 424 130 15 53 2 n/a n/a 0 624
2008 438 114 14 39 5 n/a n/a 0 610
2009 383 131 23 53 2 n/a n/a 0 592
2010 363 123 21 72 1 0 35 0 615
2011 390 108 17 64 1 2 41 0 623
2012 439 100 22 59 3 2 46 0 671
2013 436 92 20 57 2 3 48 0 658
2014 466 82 22 71 3 1 60 0 705
2015 475 87 23 70 0 1 62 0 718
2016 470 96 24 73 1 0 66 0 730
2017 470 102 20 87 1 0 61 0 741
2018 476 94 27 88 2 2 54 0 743
2019 479 102 21 92 2 2 62 0 760
2020 473 115 27 93 2 2 70 0 782
2021 456 117 20 88 0 0 69 0 750
2022 407 105 20 77 4 0 56 0 669
2023 375 101 21 79 4 0 54 0 634

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 Merrill Middle School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 510 31.4 16.2 21.8
1989 526 37.1 14.1 20.5
1990 552 31.0 17.8 18.7
1991 530 41.0 12.9 16.8
1992 572 36.0 15.8 19.8
1993 600 37.0 16.2 20.3
1994 586 47.6 12.3 18.6
1995 550 36.0 15.3 21.1
1996 550 36.0 15.3 21.1
1997 563 36.0 15.6 19.9
1998 580 36.0 16.1 18.4
1999 647 35.6 18.2 22.7
2000 620 43.8 14.2 22.6
2001 597 43.3 13.8 20.4
2002 654 43.3 15.1 32.6
2003 654 43.3 15.1 32.6
2004 660 45.6 14.5 34.1
2005 633 40.7 15.6 35.5
2006 619 42.3 14.6 37
2007 624 42.3 14.8 30.8
2008 610 39.5 15.4 36.6
2009 592 38.3 15.5 31.4
2010 615 36.8 16.7 41.8
2011 623 33.7 18.4 45.4
2012 671 35.8 18.7 40.5
2013 658 37.7 17.4 41.6
2014 705 38.9 18.0 36.3
2015 718 40.0 17.9 39.6
2016 730 39.0 18.7 43.4
2017 741 39.3 18.8 39
2018 743 39.4 18.8 40
2019 760 38.6 19.6 47.2
2020 782 37.3 20.9 48.6
2021 750 41.6 18.0 46.7
2022 669 39.1 17.1 43.3
2023 634 36.1 17.5 44.6

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 Merrill Middle School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 510 31.4 16.2 21.8
1989 526 37.1 14.1 20.5
1990 552 31.0 17.8 18.7
1991 530 41.0 12.9 16.8
1992 572 36.0 15.8 19.8
1993 600 37.0 16.2 20.3
1994 586 47.6 12.3 18.6
1995 550 36.0 15.3 21.1
1996 550 36.0 15.3 21.1
1997 563 36.0 15.6 19.9
1998 580 36.0 16.1 18.4
1999 647 35.6 18.2 22.7
2000 620 43.8 14.2 22.6
2001 597 43.3 13.8 20.4
2002 654 43.3 15.1 32.6
2003 654 43.3 15.1 32.6
2004 660 45.6 14.5 34.1
2005 633 40.7 15.6 35.5
2006 619 42.3 14.6 37
2007 624 42.3 14.8 30.8
2008 610 39.5 15.4 36.6
2009 592 38.3 15.5 31.4
2010 615 36.8 16.7 41.8
2011 623 33.7 18.4 45.4
2012 671 35.8 18.7 40.5
2013 658 37.7 17.4 41.6
2014 705 38.9 18.0 36.3
2015 718 40.0 17.9 39.6
2016 730 39.0 18.7 43.4
2017 741 39.3 18.8 39
2018 743 39.4 18.8 40
2019 760 38.6 19.6 47.2
2020 782 37.3 20.9 48.6
2021 750 41.6 18.0 46.7
2022 669 39.1 17.1 43.3
2023 634 36.1 17.5 44.6

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 Merrill Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $599 (4.6%) $12,340 (95.4%) $12,938

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Merrill Middle 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 198th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 220th of 334 Middle schools
 8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Merrill Middle School)62.160.8
 1.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)48.345.6
 2.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Merrill Middle School)63.367.2
 3.9%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.141
 10.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Merrill Middle School)76.669.4
 7.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)47.848.4
 0.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Merrill Middle School)77.568.9
 8.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.943.3
 8.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Merrill Middle School)71.579.5
 8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)50.751.5
 0.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Merrill Middle School)66.369.5
 3.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.946.1
 5.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students760634
 16.6%
African American102101
 1%
American Indian24
 100%
Asian2121
Hispanic9279
 14.1%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White479375
 21.7%
Two or More Races6254
 12.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.2%44.6%
 2.6%


Schools Near Merrill Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Merrill Middle School

Students who attend Merrill Middle School usually go on to attend Roosevelt High School

Students at Merrill Middle School are 59% White, 16% African American, 12% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Merrill Middle School ranks 224th of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 634 students attended Merrill Middle School.


Rate Merrill Middle School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Merrill Middle School!




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





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 52 milliseconds.