Merit College Preparatory Academy

Summary:

Merit College Preparatory Academy is a public charter high school located in Springville, Utah, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 468 students. The school has a diverse student population, with 67.95% White, 27.14% Hispanic, and smaller percentages of other racial/ethnic groups.

While Merit College Preparatory Academy has a relatively diverse student population, its academic performance has been inconsistent compared to nearby high-performing schools. The school's test scores are generally lower than the state averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in RISE/English Language Arts, RISE/Mathematics, and Utah Aspire Plus/English Language Arts and Mathematics were all below the state averages. Additionally, the school has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 22.25% to 34.88% over the past few years, suggesting a higher proportion of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Interestingly, there are several high-performing high schools in the vicinity of Merit College Preparatory Academy, such as Utah County Academy of Science and Timpview High, which consistently outperform Merit College Preparatory Academy on various academic metrics, including test scores and statewide rankings. Additionally, the school's spending per student ($7,734 in 2018-2019) is lower than some of the nearby public high schools, such as Orem High ($9,355) and Provo High ($9,806).


Detail:

Public, Charter 7-12

 1440 W Center Street
       Springville, UT  84663


(801) 491-7600

District: Merit College Preparatory Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
106th of 138 Utah High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $7,734 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  17.1 Help
Number of students:  468

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.9%
Hispanic:
27.1%
Two or more races:
1.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  34.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Merit College Preparatory Academy ranks worse than 64.8% of middle schools in Utah. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.91. (See more...)
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Compare Details Merit College Preparatory Academy ranks worse than 76.8% of high schools in Utah. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Merit College Preparatory Academy freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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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.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Merit College Preparatory Academy is $7,734.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Merit College Preparatory Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Merit College Preparatory Academy 136th of 210 Utah public middle schools. (See Merit College Preparatory Academy in the ranking list.)
SchoolDigger ranks Merit College Preparatory Academy 106th of 138 Utah public high schools. (See Merit College Preparatory Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


White students:


Merit College Preparatory Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Merit College Preparatory Academy 73rd of 98 Utah school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Merit College Preparatory Academy?

Rank History for Merit College Preparatory Academy

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Merit College Preparatory Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools UT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 39.53 182nd 238 23.5%
2013 45.20 170th 243 30.0%
2019 30.90 163rd 222 26.6%
2021 21.54 173rd 213 18.8%
2022 21.22 167th 209 20.1%
2023 33.78 154th 216 28.7%
2024 39.91 136th 210 35.2%
See the entire list of Utah High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school White students at Merit College Preparatory Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools UT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 41.87 118th 191 38.2%
See the entire list of Best Utah High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Utah State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Merit College Preparatory Academy

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Rank History for all high school students at Merit College Preparatory Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools UT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 50.70 69th 148 53.4%
2010 44.95 86th 153 43.8%
2011 56.28 48th 164 70.7%
2012 38.04 114th 166 31.3%
2013 51.52 74th 167 55.7%
2014 47.48 59th 120 50.8%
2015 66.20 26th 131 80.2%
2016 76.16 15th 129 88.4%
2017 21.77 102nd 125 18.4%
2018 58.38 28th 123 77.2%
2019 46.85 68th 136 50.0%
2021 44.28 67th 129 48.1%
2022 57.26 47th 131 64.1%
2023 31.40 99th 139 28.8%
2024 25.00 106th 138 23.2%
See the entire list of Utah High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school White students at Merit College Preparatory Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools UT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 68.98 26th 123 78.9%
2023 49.30 53rd 122 56.6%
2024 36.67 79th 123 35.8%
See the entire list of Best Utah High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Utah State Board of Education, 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.

Merit College Preparatory Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Utah State Board of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
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by a parent
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Open Quote This school's focus is on the individual student. The following is a list of the points that they reach for:
Each student is acknowledged as being valued. Each teacher tries to know the name with the face of each student in the school, and not just within the classroom. They take time to talk with (not just "to") the students, even in the hallways. Other students that I have spoken with say "the teachers care..."
They do a lot of service activities which help the students have instant success. This builds their sense of teamwork and self.
Extra research in areas of interest is promoted.
The quality of instruction is high.
This year they added a 7th and 8th grade accelerated high school track, and the quality of that program is very high in comparison with others that I am aware of. This 7/8th program caters to the needs of home schooled children. The expectations are high, but are very attainable. I see that the students who attend this school are going to be well prepared for college. Indeed, Merit has a higher than average number of students accepted to their 1st choice college.
It is good to note that all of the student's info relating to assignments, due dates, and attendance; as well as current lunch money available totals, are all online via a password protected site. The parents are kept "in the know" via emails to their personal emails. I have had teachers alert me of what difficulties my children are experiencing, before they got discouraged. Because of this extra effort my students have been able to succeed each term, and are motivated to continue to do well on their own. This builds a valuable life skill.
The staff is very helpful. There is a very positive feel to the building and those who are the staff and teachers. My three children who attend Merit College Preparatory Academy no longer dread going to school, they actually look forward to school.
I also have a student with an IEP who attends Merit. Their program director and staff are the best I have worked with. They are proactive in their approach to my student's special needs. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Merit College Preparatory Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2009 146 1 5 15 0 n/a n/a 0 167
2010 177 2 5 19 0 n/a n/a 52 255
2011 344 0 3 44 0 0 4 0 395
2012 510 3 3 61 4 3 11 0 595
2013 497 2 19 68 2 0 16 0 604
2014 204 1 24 46 2 2 3 0 282
2015 256 0 28 48 2 1 9 0 344
2016 232 1 24 46 2 1 7 0 313
2017 261 0 22 56 2 0 8 0 349
2018 287 0 20 78 2 1 12 0 400
2019 327 1 20 84 1 1 11 0 445
2020 321 3 18 113 1 1 14 0 471
2021 280 3 10 118 1 4 14 0 430
2022 327 2 8 119 1 3 12 0 472
2023 318 3 4 127 2 5 9 0 468

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 Merit College Preparatory Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2009 167 1.8 11.7 35.9
2010 255 13.1 19.4 70.4
2011 395 16.4 23.9 37.5
2012 595 18.5 32.1 37.6
2013 604 16.6 36.2 55.8
2014 282 16.3 17.2 43.6
2015 344 n/a n/a 41.9
2016 313 n/a n/a 40.6
2017 349 16.3 21.3 44.7
2018 400 n/a n/a 46.5
2019 445 27.4 16.1 42.5
2020 471 34.1 13.7 44.2
2021 430 n/a n/a 34.9
2022 472 32.8 14.3 22.2
2023 468 27.2 17.1 34.2

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 Merit College Preparatory Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2009 167 1.8 11.7 35.9
2010 255 13.1 19.4 70.4
2011 395 16.4 23.9 37.5
2012 595 18.5 32.1 37.6
2013 604 16.6 36.2 55.8
2014 282 16.3 17.2 43.6
2015 344 n/a n/a 41.9
2016 313 n/a n/a 40.6
2017 349 16.3 21.3 44.7
2018 400 n/a n/a 46.5
2019 445 27.4 16.1 42.5
2020 471 34.1 13.7 44.2
2021 430 n/a n/a 34.9
2022 472 32.8 14.3 22.2
2023 468 27.2 17.1 34.2

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 Merit College Preparatory Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $551 (7.1%) $7,183 (92.9%) $7,734

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Merit College Preparatory Academy

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 163rd of 222 Middle schoolsRanks 154th of 216 Middle schools
 2.1%
Ranks 68th of 136 High schoolsRanks 99th of 139 High schools
 21.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)43.634.8
 8.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)43.634.8
 8.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Utah)44.141.4
 2.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)43.639.6
 4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)43.639.6
 4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Utah)45.244.9
 0.3%
7th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)32.149
 16.9%
   7th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)32.149
 16.9%
   7th Grade Science (Utah)44.545.5
 1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)34.427.8
 6.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)34.427.8
 6.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Utah)43.341.8
 1.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)30.328
 2.3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)30.328
 2.3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Utah)42.738.2
 4.5%
8th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)30.835.8
 5%
   8th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)30.835.8
 5%
   8th Grade Science (Utah)49.248.5
 0.7%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)45.131.5
 13.6%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)45.131.5
 13.6%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Utah)48.244
 4.2%
9th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)3816.4
 21.6%
   9th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)3816.4
 21.6%
   9th Grade Mathematics (Utah)43.632.8
 10.8%
9th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)39.125.7
 13.4%
   9th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)39.125.7
 13.4%
   9th Grade Science (Utah)36.238.1
 1.9%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)50.946.1
 4.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Merit College Preparatory Academy)50.946.1
 4.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Utah)49.545.3
 4.2%
10th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)35.128.1
 7%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Merit College Preparatory Academy)35.128.1
 7%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Utah)36.327.7
 8.6%
10th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)31.429.9
 1.5%
   10th Grade Science (Merit College Preparatory Academy)31.429.9
 1.5%
   10th Grade Science (Utah)3332.2
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students445468
 5.2%
African American13
 200%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian204
 80%
Hispanic84127
 51.2%
Pacific Islander15
 400%
White327318
 2.8%
Two or More Races119
 18.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients42.5%34.2%
 8.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Merit College Preparatory Academy

Merit College Preparatory Academy ranks in the bottom 23.2% of Utah high schools.

Students at Merit College Preparatory Academy are 68% White, 27% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 1% Pacific Islander.

In the 2022-23 school year, 468 students attended Merit College Preparatory Academy.


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