Merkel High School

Summary:

Merkel High School is a public high school in Merkel, Texas, serving 327 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Wylie Independent School District, which is ranked 625 out of 968 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Merkel High School has some notable strengths, including consistently high graduation rates (94.2% to 100% over the past five years) and very low dropout rates (0.3% to 0.6%). However, the school's academic performance is generally lower than the state and district averages, particularly in subjects like Algebra I, English I Reading, and U.S. History. Additionally, Merkel High School's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from a high of 914 out of 1,857 Texas high schools in 2018-2019 to a low of 1,488 out of 1,961 in 2022-2023. This suggests that the school is not keeping pace with the performance of other high schools in the state.

Compared to nearby schools like Wylie High School and Hawley High School, Merkel High School's academic performance is generally lower, with lower test scores and overall rankings. However, the school's high graduation rates and low dropout rates indicate that it is still providing a solid educational foundation for its students. To improve its overall performance, Merkel High School may need to focus on addressing the academic needs of its diverse student population, particularly in areas where its test scores are lagging.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 2000 S 7th St
       Merkel, TX  79536-0430


(325) 928-4667

District: Merkel Independent School District (Isd)

SchoolDigger Rank:
1301st of 1,987 Texas High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,879 Help


Feeder schools for Merkel High School:

Elementary:    Merkel Elementary
Middle:    Merkel Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  8.6 Help
Number of students:  295

Racial breakdown:

White:
73.6%
Hispanic:
22.0%
African American:
1.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  48.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Merkel High School ranks worse than 65.5% of high schools in Texas. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 35.42. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Merkel High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (73.6%), Hispanic (22%), African American (1.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 48.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Merkel High School is 8.6. (See more...)
Help
Compare Merkel High School employs 34.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Merkel High School is $11,879.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Merkel High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Merkel High School 1301st of 1987 Texas public high schools. (See Merkel High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Merkel Independent School District (Isd):

SchoolDigger ranks Merkel Independent School District (Isd) 625th of 968 Texas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Merkel High School

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Rank History for all students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 53.23 824th 1427 42.3%
2005 51.66 835th 1429 41.6%
2006 50.55 877th 1430 38.7%
2007 59.65 713th 1497 52.4%
2008 46.30 1010th 1510 33.1%
2009 40.18 1172nd 1539 23.8%
2010 59.59 755th 1568 51.8%
2011 58.87 835th 1672 50.1%
2012 51.30 790th 1603 50.7%
2013 50.48 865th 1652 47.6%
2014 49.77 934th 1734 46.1%
2015 54.54 856th 1743 50.9%
2016 49.91 959th 1762 45.6%
2017 33.22 1175th 1777 33.9%
2018 34.73 1171st 1797 34.8%
2019 48.04 914th 1857 50.8%
2021 40.78 1106th 1861 40.6%
2022 28.55 1366th 1876 27.2%
2023 25.49 1488th 1961 24.1%
2024 35.42 1301st 1987 34.5%
See the entire list of Texas High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.35 1196th 1347 11.2%
2019 34.86 889th 1357 34.5%
2021 53.11 463rd 1382 66.5%
2022 45.20 639th 1418 54.9%
2023 23.79 1255th 1478 15.1%
2024 62.33 379th 1547 75.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.75 1341st 1794 25.3%
2019 42.18 1033rd 1818 43.2%
2021 41.87 1059th 1848 42.7%
2022 26.58 1415th 1847 23.4%
2023 20.83 1563rd 1897 17.6%
2024 30.66 1322nd 1883 29.8%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.94 1054th 1781 40.8%
2019 54.40 784th 1798 56.4%
2021 41.33 1076th 1815 40.7%
2022 26.94 1388th 1841 24.6%
2023 32.12 1295th 1891 31.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.35 951st 1137 16.4%
2019 49.38 785th 1145 31.4%
2021 43.94 867th 1177 26.3%
2022 75.06 12th 1172 99.0%
2023 1.30 1153rd 1182 2.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.68 1283rd 1784 28.1%
2019 51.29 699th 1810 61.4%
2021 43.08 904th 1829 50.6%
2022 23.82 1497th 1837 18.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.95 1389th 1803 23.0%
2019 37.64 1134th 1824 37.8%
2021 36.89 1136th 1840 38.3%
2022 28.99 1318th 1853 28.9%
2023 19.73 1547th 1913 19.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.48 43rd 1013 95.8%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.15 1054th 1691 37.7%
2019 49.69 784th 1714 54.3%
2021 43.64 936th 1743 46.3%
2022 37.07 1079th 1762 38.8%
2023 15.11 1580th 1820 13.2%
2024 28.49 1291st 1804 28.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Merkel High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.47 1317th 1539 14.4%
2019 29.94 1168th 1526 23.5%
2021 20.86 1260th 1510 16.6%
2022 10.22 1399th 1525 8.3%
2023 11.90 1411th 1576 10.5%
2024 15.45 1370th 1556 12.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Texas Education Agency, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Merkel High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Texas Education Agency

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Enrollment information for Merkel 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 358 10 4 35 1 n/a n/a 0 408
1989 361 8 2 45 0 n/a n/a 0 416
1990 345 3 3 48 1 n/a n/a 0 400
1991 297 2 2 50 0 n/a n/a 0 351
1992 331 4 1 60 0 n/a n/a 0 396
1993 310 4 1 57 0 n/a n/a 0 372
1994 324 6 0 53 0 n/a n/a 0 383
1995 356 6 1 57 0 n/a n/a 0 420
1996 356 6 1 57 0 n/a n/a 0 420
1997 369 3 2 60 0 n/a n/a 0 434
1998 358 3 1 65 0 n/a n/a 0 427
1999 356 4 1 61 0 n/a n/a 0 422
2000 361 5 1 55 0 n/a n/a 0 422
2001 376 8 1 63 0 n/a n/a 0 448
2002 344 16 0 74 0 n/a n/a 0 434
2003 344 16 0 74 0 n/a n/a 0 434
2004 328 17 0 72 0 n/a n/a 0 417
2005 326 17 0 61 0 n/a n/a 0 404
2006 338 12 0 58 0 n/a n/a 0 408
2007 305 4 1 68 1 n/a n/a 0 379
2008 287 4 1 61 2 n/a n/a 0 355
2009 266 7 3 56 2 n/a n/a 0 334
2010 245 5 2 51 3 n/a n/a 0 306
2011 255 3 2 42 2 0 0 0 304
2012 270 4 1 43 0 0 1 0 319
2013 265 3 2 60 2 0 2 0 334
2014 249 4 0 69 1 1 2 0 326
2015 231 4 1 80 4 1 7 0 328
2016 225 6 0 76 4 1 8 0 320
2017 190 6 0 73 3 1 8 0 281
2018 210 11 0 82 4 0 7 0 314
2019 212 8 0 79 0 0 8 0 307
2020 225 6 0 86 1 1 9 0 328
2021 217 3 0 88 2 0 7 0 317
2022 225 1 0 89 4 0 8 0 327
2023 241 2 0 72 4 0 8 0 327
2024 217 5 0 65 3 0 5 0 295

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 Merkel High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 408 30.0 13.6 n/a
1989 416 n/a n/a n/a
1990 400 30.0 13.3 n/a
1991 351 43.5 8.0 n/a
1992 396 30.7 12.8 19.2
1993 372 29.0 12.8 25.5
1994 383 29.9 12.8 21.7
1995 420 32.3 13.0 21.4
1996 420 32.3 13.0 21.4
1997 434 32.8 13.2 20.7
1998 427 34.3 12.4 24.4
1999 422 37.8 11.2 32.5
2000 422 39.5 10.7 33.2
2001 448 37.3 12.0 34.6
2002 434 35.6 12.2 38.7
2003 434 35.6 12.2 38.7
2004 417 35.3 11.8 42.2
2005 404 36.2 11.2 42.3
2006 408 38.4 10.6 41.7
2007 379 36.0 10.5 37.7
2008 355 35.4 10.0 35.8
2009 334 32.6 10.2 36.8
2010 306 35.9 8.5 47.7
2011 304 34.3 8.8 46.4
2012 319 32.5 9.7 47.6
2013 334 32.9 10.1 47.9
2014 326 33.1 9.8 46.6
2015 328 34.0 9.6 47
2016 320 35.0 9.1 51.6
2017 281 32.7 8.5 53.7
2018 314 32.4 9.6 60.2
2019 307 33.3 9.2 55
2020 328 34.0 9.6 55.5
2021 317 35.1 9.0 47.3
2022 327 34.1 9.5 42.5
2023 327 34.3 9.5 48.3
2024 295 34.1 8.6 48.5

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 Merkel High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 408 30.0 13.6 n/a
1989 416 n/a n/a n/a
1990 400 30.0 13.3 n/a
1991 351 43.5 8.0 n/a
1992 396 30.7 12.8 19.2
1993 372 29.0 12.8 25.5
1994 383 29.9 12.8 21.7
1995 420 32.3 13.0 21.4
1996 420 32.3 13.0 21.4
1997 434 32.8 13.2 20.7
1998 427 34.3 12.4 24.4
1999 422 37.8 11.2 32.5
2000 422 39.5 10.7 33.2
2001 448 37.3 12.0 34.6
2002 434 35.6 12.2 38.7
2003 434 35.6 12.2 38.7
2004 417 35.3 11.8 42.2
2005 404 36.2 11.2 42.3
2006 408 38.4 10.6 41.7
2007 379 36.0 10.5 37.7
2008 355 35.4 10.0 35.8
2009 334 32.6 10.2 36.8
2010 306 35.9 8.5 47.7
2011 304 34.3 8.8 46.4
2012 319 32.5 9.7 47.6
2013 334 32.9 10.1 47.9
2014 326 33.1 9.8 46.6
2015 328 34.0 9.6 47
2016 320 35.0 9.1 51.6
2017 281 32.7 8.5 53.7
2018 314 32.4 9.6 60.2
2019 307 33.3 9.2 55
2020 328 34.0 9.6 55.5
2021 317 35.1 9.0 47.3
2022 327 34.1 9.5 42.5
2023 327 34.3 9.5 48.3
2024 295 34.1 8.6 48.5

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 Merkel High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $581 (4.8%) $11,622 (95.2%) $12,204
2020 $455 (4.0%) $10,786 (96.0%) $11,241
2021 $750 (6.3%) $11,129 (93.7%) $11,879

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Merkel 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 914th of 1857 High schoolsRanks 1488th of 1961 High schools
 26.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Algebra I (Merkel High School)3817
 21%
   End of Course Algebra I (Merkel Independent School District (Isd))3817
 21%
   End of Course Algebra I (Texas)6245
 17%
End of Course Biology (Merkel High School)6538
 27%
   End of Course Biology (Merkel Independent School District (Isd))6537
 28%
   End of Course Biology (Texas)6357
 6%
End of Course English I Reading (Merkel High School)5146
 5%
   End of Course English I Reading (Merkel Independent School District (Isd))5146
 5%
   End of Course English I Reading (Texas)4954
 5%
End of Course English II Reading (Merkel High School)4945
 4%
   End of Course English II Reading (Merkel Independent School District (Isd))4944
 5%
   End of Course English II Reading (Texas)5156
 5%
End of Course U.S. History (Merkel High School)7453
 21%
   End of Course U.S. History (Merkel Independent School District (Isd))7453
 21%
   End of Course U.S. History (Texas)7571
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students307327
 6.5%
African American82
 75%
American Indian04
Asian00
Hispanic7972
 8.9%
Pacific Islander00
White212241
 13.7%
Two or More Races88
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients55%48.3%
 6.7%


Schools Near Merkel High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Merkel High School

Merkel High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Merkel Elementary
Middle : Merkel Middle

Students at Merkel High School are 74% White, 22% Hispanic, 2% African American, 2% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

Merkel High School ranks 1301st of 1987 Texas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 295 students attended Merkel High School.


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

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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