C+
Merrill Community Schools
Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 5 towns
Serves Mount Haley, Jonesfield, Lakefield, Merrill and Marion, and parts of Wheeler, Fremont, Porter and Lafayette.
Students
458
Schools
3
Spent per student
$17,016
MI $16,528
Students per teacher
13:1
Free or reduced lunch
55%
Debt
$9.2M
fiscal 2024
What stands out about Merrill Community Schools
- School Grade C+: better than 37% of Michigan districts
- Math proficiency 16 pts below the state
- Reading / language arts 16 pts below the state
- 13 students per teacher
- Enrollment down 15.8% since 2020
- Debt of $9.2M, about $20,153 per student
Where would my kid go?
The school path for Shepherd.
K–52 elementary schoolsShepherd Public School District
6–8Shepherd Middle SchoolShepherd Public School District
9–12Shepherd High SchoolShepherd Public School District
Test scores vs. MI
2020–21Math proficiency19%
State average 34.6%
Reading / language arts32%
State average 47.9%
Graduation rate (4-year)84%
State average 82.9%
Where the money goes
fiscal 2024$17,016 per student · 3% above MI
Spending
Classroom instruction 59%Support & administration 34%Other 7%
Paid for by
Local (mostly property tax) 34%State 58%Federal 8%
U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.
Enrollment over time
544’20
517’21
522’22
489’23
458’24
Down 15.8% since 2020.
Students
White 94%Hispanic 4%Black 1%Two or more races <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%
Schools in the district
3 public schools.
Towns served
Nearby districts
Compare spending and schools next door.
District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.