Public schools in Merrill, WI
7 open public schools with an address in Merrill, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
7
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
2,686
7 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
16.3:1
Wisconsin median 13.2:1
Charter schools
2
1 virtual
An overview of Merrill public schools
The federal directory lists 7 public schools in Merrill, WI: 2 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high, 2 combined or other. The 7 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 2,686 students, an average of 384 per school. The largest campus is Merrill High (756 students), and the largest elementary school is Kate Goodrich Elementary (337).
Every listed school belongs to Merrill Area School District. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 16.3:1, higher than the statewide school median of 13.2:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 2 charter schools, 1 virtual school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 3 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 3 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 37% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Merrill
Elementary schools in Merrill
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kate Goodrich Elementary Merrill Area School District | KG–02 | 337 | 12.5:1 | |
| Washington Elementary Merrill Area School District | 03–04 | 257 | 14.6:1 |
Middle schools in Merrill
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie River Middle Merrill Area School District | 05–08 | 507 | 13.4:1 |
High schools in Merrill
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill Adult Diploma Academy Merrill Area School District · Charter · Alternative School | 11–12 | 31 | 31:1 | |
| Merrill High Merrill Area School District | 09–12 | 756 | 16.3:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Merrill
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridges Virtual Academy Merrill Area School District · Charter · Virtual | PK–12 | 674 | 17.3:1 | |
| Pine River School for Young Learners (PRSYL) Merrill Area School District | PK–PK | 124 | 20.7:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White85.9%
- Hispanic5.3%
- Black1.1%
- Asian0.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial6.5%
Enrollment-weighted across 7 Merrill schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (2,686 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Merrill
How many public schools are in Merrill, WI?
The current NCES directory lists 7 open public schools with a location address in Merrill: 2 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high, 2 combined or other. Together they reported 2,686 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Merrill?
All listed public schools with an address in Merrill belong to Merrill Area School District. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Merrill?
Merrill High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Merrill, with 756 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Merrill?
Yes. 2 of the 7 public schools in Merrill are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Bridges Virtual Academy, Merrill Adult Diploma Academy. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Merrill schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Merrill public schools is 16.3:1, higher than the Wisconsin school median of 13.2:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Merrill guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Wisconsin cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Wisconsin cities