Mildred Merkley Elementary School

Summary:

Mildred Merkley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Highland, Indiana, serving 265 students in grades K-5. As part of the School Town of Highland district, which is ranked 87 out of 381 districts in Indiana, Mildred Merkley offers a diverse student population and generally competitive academic performance.

One of the key factors that sets Mildred Merkley apart is its racial diversity, with a higher percentage of Hispanic students (35.47%) and a lower percentage of White students (50.19%) compared to some nearby schools. Academically, the school's test scores are on par or slightly above the district and state averages in both English Language Arts and Math, with a 2023-2024 proficiency rate of 43.92% in ELA and 53.74% in Math. However, the school does have a higher chronic absenteeism rate (16.0% in 2022-2023) and a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (46.79% in 2022-2023), which could be areas for improvement.

When compared to nearby schools, Mildred Merkley's performance falls in the middle range. It has lower test scores than the highly-rated School Town of Munster schools, but higher scores than the lower-performing schools in School City of Hammond and Griffith Public Schools. Overall, Mildred Merkley appears to be a solid, middle-performing school within its district, with a diverse student population and some areas for potential improvement.


Detail:

Public K-5

 9340 Fifth St
       Highland, IN  46322


(219) 922-5640

District: School Town of Highland

SchoolDigger Rank:
361st of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,375 Help


Students who attend Mildred Merkley Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Highland Middle School
High:    Highland High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.6 Help
Number of students:  265

Racial breakdown:

White:
50.2%
Hispanic:
35.5%
African American:
9.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  46.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Mildred Merkley Elementary School ranks better than 64.3% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks 2nd among 4 ranked elementary schools in the School Town of Highland District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 64.43. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
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Compare Details Mildred Merkley Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the School Town of Highland District. Racial makeup is: White (50.2%), Hispanic (35.5%), African American (9.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 46.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mildred Merkley Elementary School is 17.6, which is the 2nd best among 4 elementary schools in the School Town of Highland District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Mildred Merkley Elementary School employs 15 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mildred Merkley Elementary School is $10,375, which is the highest among 4 elementary schools in the School Town of Highland District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Mildred Merkley Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

School Town of Highland:

SchoolDigger ranks School Town of Highland 105th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Mildred Merkley Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 70.34 78th 326 76.1%
2005 67.88 283rd 959 70.5%
2006 79.73 140th 961 85.4%
2007 72.39 236th 985 76.0%
2008 80.79 125th 996 87.4%
2009 76.25 199th 1003 80.2%
2010 70.75 289th 1009 71.4%
2011 65.65 375th 1025 63.4%
2012 56.38 516th 1015 49.2%
2013 52.92 586th 1035 43.4%
2014 60.46 468th 1036 54.8%
2015 65.69 367th 1040 64.7%
2016 59.65 483rd 1046 53.8%
2017 53.34 557th 1033 46.1%
2018 56.58 502nd 1027 51.1%
2019 43.32 645th 1031 37.4%
2021 67.20 328th 1016 67.7%
2022 53.46 503rd 1020 50.7%
2023 57.13 457th 1016 55.0%
2024 64.43 361st 1010 64.3%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

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

Mildred Merkley Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
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Years: 
  
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Data source: Indiana Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.5)
0%

50%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Friday, January 17, 2014

Open Quote As a 35 yaer resident of Highland who has had three children attend Elementry, Middle and High School in Highland, I am well aware of the wonderful and dedicated staff at Merkley. I tis a very good school and provides a quality educaiton. It encourages parental involvement and offers a wide range of programs and activities to enhance the overall educational experiecne. I would recomend the school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Mildred Merkley Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 325 0 5 14 0 n/a n/a 0 344
1989 373 0 2 13 0 n/a n/a 0 388
1990 310 0 5 23 0 n/a n/a 0 338
1991 314 0 3 11 0 n/a n/a 0 328
1992 314 0 5 18 0 n/a n/a 0 337
1993 326 0 4 18 0 n/a n/a 0 348
1994 311 0 2 22 0 n/a n/a 0 335
1995 347 0 2 26 0 n/a n/a 0 375
1996 347 0 2 26 0 n/a n/a 0 375
1997 362 0 5 24 1 n/a n/a 0 392
1998 359 2 3 21 0 n/a n/a 0 385
1999 355 0 4 17 0 n/a n/a 0 376
2000 340 0 6 19 0 n/a n/a 0 365
2001 342 1 3 22 0 n/a n/a 0 368
2002 353 2 6 19 0 n/a n/a 0 380
2003 353 2 6 19 0 n/a n/a 0 380
2004 337 2 6 32 0 n/a n/a 0 377
2005 337 4 2 54 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2006 332 5 1 46 0 n/a n/a 0 384
2007 298 3 3 48 1 n/a n/a 7 360
2008 303 9 2 56 1 n/a n/a 12 383
2009 291 8 6 59 1 n/a n/a 14 379
2010 279 11 6 69 0 n/a n/a 16 381
2011 267 12 8 78 1 0 17 0 383
2012 250 14 5 97 0 0 11 0 377
2013 201 8 3 104 0 0 4 0 320
2014 197 11 1 105 0 0 5 0 319
2015 197 13 2 97 0 0 7 0 316
2016 190 11 2 98 0 0 10 0 311
2017 178 19 2 88 0 0 8 0 295
2018 173 20 3 95 0 0 8 0 299
2019 165 21 5 89 0 0 11 0 291
2020 149 22 6 101 0 0 10 0 288
2021 147 22 7 95 0 0 6 0 277
2022 137 30 6 90 0 0 5 0 268
2023 133 26 5 94 0 0 7 0 265

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 Mildred Merkley Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 344 16.8 20.4 6.1
1989 388 18.7 20.7 3.6
1990 338 16.8 20.1 4.7
1991 328 19.9 16.4 4.9
1992 337 16.5 20.4 6.5
1993 348 17.2 20.2 9.5
1994 335 15.7 21.3 10.7
1995 375 16.5 22.7 9.1
1996 375 16.5 22.7 9.1
1997 392 18.4 21.3 11
1998 385 18.6 20.7 4.7
1999 376 17.4 21.6 11.2
2000 365 15.3 23.9 8.5
2001 368 16.5 22.3 10.6
2002 380 17.9 21.2 13.9
2003 380 17.9 21.2 13.9
2004 377 15.6 24.2 14.9
2005 397 16.4 24.2 19.1
2006 384 16.1 23.9 17.4
2007 360 n/a n/a 11
2008 383 16.7 22.9 24
2009 379 16.5 23.0 25.2
2010 381 15.5 24.4 33.2
2011 383 15.3 24.9 35
2012 377 22.5 16.7 36.6
2013 320 17.0 18.8 42.2
2014 319 17.0 18.7 42.9
2015 316 16.0 19.7 39.6
2016 311 16.0 19.4 39.5
2017 295 17.0 17.3 36.3
2018 299 16.0 18.6 46.2
2019 291 18.0 16.1 42.6
2020 288 16.0 18.0 48.3
2021 277 16.0 17.3 49.1
2022 268 15.5 17.2 37.3
2023 265 15.0 17.6 46.8

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 Mildred Merkley Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 344 16.8 20.4 6.1
1989 388 18.7 20.7 3.6
1990 338 16.8 20.1 4.7
1991 328 19.9 16.4 4.9
1992 337 16.5 20.4 6.5
1993 348 17.2 20.2 9.5
1994 335 15.7 21.3 10.7
1995 375 16.5 22.7 9.1
1996 375 16.5 22.7 9.1
1997 392 18.4 21.3 11
1998 385 18.6 20.7 4.7
1999 376 17.4 21.6 11.2
2000 365 15.3 23.9 8.5
2001 368 16.5 22.3 10.6
2002 380 17.9 21.2 13.9
2003 380 17.9 21.2 13.9
2004 377 15.6 24.2 14.9
2005 397 16.4 24.2 19.1
2006 384 16.1 23.9 17.4
2007 360 n/a n/a 11
2008 383 16.7 22.9 24
2009 379 16.5 23.0 25.2
2010 381 15.5 24.4 33.2
2011 383 15.3 24.9 35
2012 377 22.5 16.7 36.6
2013 320 17.0 18.8 42.2
2014 319 17.0 18.7 42.9
2015 316 16.0 19.7 39.6
2016 311 16.0 19.4 39.5
2017 295 17.0 17.3 36.3
2018 299 16.0 18.6 46.2
2019 291 18.0 16.1 42.6
2020 288 16.0 18.0 48.3
2021 277 16.0 17.3 49.1
2022 268 15.5 17.2 37.3
2023 265 15.0 17.6 46.8

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 Mildred Merkley Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $222 (2.7%) $7,953 (97.3%) $8,176
2020 $220 (2.6%) $8,391 (97.4%) $8,611
2021 $334 (3.5%) $9,125 (96.5%) $9,459
2022 $536 (5.2%) $9,839 (94.8%) $10,374

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Mildred Merkley Elementary 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 645th of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 457th of 1016 Elementary schools
 17.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)4439.5
 4.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (School Town of Highland)44.243.5
 0.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)60.855.8
 5%
   3rd Grade Math (School Town of Highland)65.263.2
 2%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)43.447.4
 4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (School Town of Highland)48.246.1
 2.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)64.265.8
 1.6%
   4th Grade Math (School Town of Highland)61.163.6
 2.5%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)47.243.2
 4%
   4th Grade Science (School Town of Highland)52.239.8
 12.4%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)19.537.5
 18%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (School Town of Highland)42.236.9
 5.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)29.333.9
 4.6%
   5th Grade Math (School Town of Highland)40.942.8
 1.9%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Mildred Merkley Elementary School)2230.9
 8.9%
   5th Grade Social Studies (School Town of Highland)48.441.7
 6.7%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students291265
 8.9%
African American2126
 23.8%
American Indian00
Asian55
Hispanic8994
 5.6%
Pacific Islander00
White165133
 19.4%
Two or More Races117
 36.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients42.6%46.8%
 4.2%


Schools Near Mildred Merkley Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Mildred Merkley Elementary School

Students who attend Mildred Merkley Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Highland Middle School
High : Highland High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 265 students attended Mildred Merkley Elementary School.

Mildred Merkley Elementary School ranks 361st of 1010 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Mildred Merkley Elementary School are 50% White, 35% Hispanic, 10% African American, 3% Two or more races, 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 Indiana 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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