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Merritt Academy

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12
498th
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 1,492 Michigan Alternative Schools
Better than 67% of Michigan alternative schools
Summary

Merritt Academy is a public, alternative school in New Haven, MI, serving 549 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, and it operates as its own district, giving it a unique level of autonomy compared to nearby schools.

Merritt Academy stands out for its strong academic performance, especially in English Language Arts. In the 2025-2026 school year, 3rd graders achieved 62.2% proficiency in ELA and 80% in math, far exceeding state averages of 38.2% and 42.9%, respectively. The school also boasts an 88.5% graduation rate, well above the state average of 84.0% and dramatically higher than nearby alternatives like Lake Huron Virtual Hybrid High School (69.6%) and iCampus Virtual Learning School (41.8%). With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, the school provides a more personalized learning environment than virtual programs like Lakeview Virtual School, which has a ratio of 43.5:1. Chronic absenteeism at 23.5% is also lower than the state average (27.9%) and far better than peers like Glen H Peters School (56.9%).

While ELA scores are consistently strong across grade levels, math remains a clear area for improvement, particularly at the high school level, where only 20.5% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT math, below the state average of 26.5%. The school has shown resilience post-pandemic, reducing its dropout rate from 15.6% in 2020-2021 to 5.7% in 2024-2025. With per-student spending of $12,885, Merritt Academy invests more than some peers, and this investment, combined with its low student-teacher ratio, appears to correlate with its superior outcomes. For parents seeking a school with strong early elementary foundations, high graduation rates, and a supportive, low-ratio environment, Merritt Academy is a compelling option in the New Haven area.

549
Students ?
9.6
Student/teacher ratio ?
43.7%
Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?
All students in Michigan receive free school meals.
 59900 Havenridge Rd
       New Haven, MI  48048-1915

(586) 749-6000

District: Merritt Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:
80.3%
African American:
8.6%
Two or more races:
6.6%
more
 See top rated Michigan elementary schools

 Compare Merritt Academy to nearby alternative schools!
At a glance
▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 53rd percentile in 2023 → 76th in 2026
Strengths
✓Test scores above the Michigan average (47% vs 41% meeting standards)
✓88% graduate in 4 years — above the Michigan average (84%)
✓Ranking is trending up — up 23 percentile points since 2023
Worth a look
!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing
Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?
This school47%
District avg47%
Michigan avg41%
Elementary school
498th of 1,492
Michigan public elementary schools ?
Top 33%▼ down 20 pts since 2016
From top 14% (2016) to top 33% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
Middle school
271st of 896
Michigan public middle schools ?
Top 30%▼ down 17 pts since 2016
From top 14% (2016) to top 30% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
High school
195th of 800
Michigan public high schools ?
Top 24%▼ down 10 pts since 2016
From top 15% (2016) to top 24% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →
★★★★★
SchoolDigger rating ?
Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)
Elementary school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202664.1498 of 149266.6%★★★☆☆
202557.9597 of 148859.9%★★★☆☆
202458.5573 of 148661.4%★★★☆☆
202354.8617 of 147058.0%★★★☆☆
202258.5506 of 134462.4%★★★☆☆
202146.5566 of 115350.9%★★★☆☆
201980.0226 of 140883.9%★★★★☆
201887.8138 of 144890.5%★★★★★
201777.9250 of 146682.9%★★★★☆
201682.3212 of 154886.3%★★★★☆
201579.6274 of 158082.7%★★★★☆
201478.6283 of 153381.5%★★★★☆
201362.4587 of 156362.4%★★★☆☆
201262.0582 of 156662.8%★★★☆☆
201156.2875 of 155243.6%★★☆☆☆
201046.01136 of 155226.8%★☆☆☆☆
200955.4915 of 158942.4%★★☆☆☆
200849.31046 of 157733.7%★★☆☆☆
200732.11287 of 156517.8%★☆☆☆☆
200619.31403 of 15459.2%☆☆☆☆☆

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202649.3616 of 134354.1%★★★☆☆
202536.9823 of 133838.5%★★☆☆☆
202450.5606 of 134254.8%★★★☆☆
202345.6671 of 132149.2%★★☆☆☆
202242.3618 of 110644.1%★★☆☆☆
202134.5611 of 90232.3%★★☆☆☆
201972.8248 of 117178.8%★★★★☆
201885.3149 of 144389.7%★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202665.6369 of 135272.7%★★★★☆
202556.5514 of 134661.8%★★★☆☆
202454.0567 of 138158.9%★★★☆☆
202359.6453 of 135066.4%★★★☆☆
202261.5349 of 109968.2%★★★☆☆
202157.0269 of 74964.1%★★★☆☆
201987.854 of 113495.2%★★★★★
201890.252 of 139796.3%★★★★★

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202678.1256 of 137281.3%★★★★☆
202568.5388 of 136671.6%★★★★☆
202456.6547 of 134759.4%★★★☆☆
202363.8443 of 133466.8%★★★☆☆
202265.2347 of 113969.5%★★★☆☆
202154.1386 of 91557.8%★★★☆☆
201980.2177 of 119685.2%★★★★☆
201886.6145 of 144690.0%★★★★★

Special Education

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
201859.5122 of 40369.7%★★★★☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202655.8506 of 119957.8%★★★☆☆
202549.2598 of 120650.4%★★★☆☆
202455.8509 of 120457.7%★★★☆☆
202347.5627 of 119847.7%★★☆☆☆
202256.4457 of 110258.5%★★★☆☆
202144.8533 of 100547.0%★★☆☆☆
201974.8236 of 112879.1%★★★★☆
201881.3178 of 125385.8%★★★★☆
Middle school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202662.7271 of 89669.8%★★★☆☆
202571.8199 of 89077.6%★★★★☆
202475.6168 of 89781.3%★★★★☆
202371.5199 of 88377.5%★★★★☆
202270.9167 of 77678.5%★★★★☆
202159.0221 of 67567.3%★★★☆☆
201969.2202 of 79274.5%★★★★☆
201892.254 of 83893.6%★★★★★
201783.299 of 82187.9%★★★★☆
201682.8122 of 89486.4%★★★★☆
201573.1198 of 91978.5%★★★★☆
201474.9187 of 92179.7%★★★★☆
201358.7361 of 91960.7%★★★☆☆
201258.1363 of 90059.7%★★★☆☆
201170.9248 of 85871.1%★★★★☆
201053.5531 of 85137.6%★★☆☆☆
200932.7685 of 84719.1%★☆☆☆☆
200810.3781 of 8396.9%☆☆☆☆☆
200711.8758 of 8237.9%☆☆☆☆☆
200626.2681 of 80615.5%★☆☆☆☆

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202654.3314 of 78960.2%★★★☆☆
202559.5255 of 78967.7%★★★☆☆
202455.9268 of 77165.2%★★★☆☆
202353.5296 of 77061.6%★★★☆☆
202259.4208 of 65768.3%★★★☆☆
202140.5291 of 52144.1%★★☆☆☆
201975.4129 of 65880.4%★★★★☆
201894.529 of 79496.3%★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202657.0298 of 83464.3%★★★☆☆
202563.8229 of 83272.5%★★★★☆
202481.377 of 83690.8%★★★★★
202375.5117 of 82585.8%★★★★☆
202270.8126 of 69181.8%★★★★☆
202189.924 of 52395.4%★★★★★
201976.782 of 67287.8%★★★★☆
201895.115 of 81598.2%★★★★★

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202662.1248 of 81369.5%★★★☆☆
202572.0177 of 79877.8%★★★★☆
202477.1133 of 78683.1%★★★★☆
202381.2110 of 77685.8%★★★★☆
202276.8111 of 65883.1%★★★★☆
202167.8124 of 54077.0%★★★★☆
201952.4262 of 63959.0%★★★☆☆
201882.5114 of 79785.7%★★★★☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202656.8253 of 68763.2%★★★☆☆
202563.6208 of 69670.1%★★★★☆
202472.8150 of 70178.6%★★★★☆
202366.6185 of 68873.1%★★★★☆
202264.4174 of 63872.7%★★★★☆
202163.9167 of 57771.1%★★★★☆
201963.5200 of 62467.9%★★★☆☆
201888.358 of 67891.4%★★★★★
High school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202668.0195 of 80075.6%★★★★☆
202561.3263 of 73964.4%★★★☆☆
202450.8337 of 74354.6%★★★☆☆
202349.9347 of 73552.8%★★★☆☆
202265.1191 of 53164.0%★★★☆☆
202151.1245 of 56156.3%★★★☆☆
201990.556 of 66691.6%★★★★★
201860.1315 of 82461.8%★★★☆☆
201760.0294 of 83564.8%★★★☆☆
201680.8125 of 85285.3%★★★★☆
201566.9276 of 83266.8%★★★☆☆
201465.7275 of 79965.6%★★★☆☆
201337.7517 of 80535.8%★★☆☆☆
201244.7476 of 77338.4%★★☆☆☆
201151.8480 of 78438.8%★★☆☆☆
201020.2606 of 76520.8%★☆☆☆☆
200913.5641 of 75415.0%★☆☆☆☆

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202648.4338 of 68650.7%★★★☆☆
202563.4207 of 62967.1%★★★☆☆
202439.3368 of 61940.5%★★☆☆☆
202353.0276 of 61154.8%★★★☆☆
202142.9254 of 46245.0%★★☆☆☆
201989.544 of 55492.1%★★★★★
201865.3225 of 71068.3%★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202673.1114 of 71984.1%★★★★☆
202578.0101 of 63584.1%★★★★☆
202466.9167 of 65474.5%★★★★☆
202343.5349 of 61443.2%★★☆☆☆
202143.1243 of 41741.7%★★☆☆☆
201861.4257 of 75566.0%★★★☆☆

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202676.3118 of 69383.0%★★★★☆
202565.2191 of 62869.6%★★★☆☆
202475.5129 of 63379.6%★★★★☆
202348.8299 of 61151.1%★★★☆☆
201987.259 of 54389.1%★★★★☆
201847.7372 of 70747.4%★★☆☆☆

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMichigan percentileRating
202660.5222 of 67166.9%★★★☆☆
202538.1395 of 63938.2%★★☆☆☆
202460.4211 of 63866.9%★★★☆☆
202351.6283 of 64756.3%★★★☆☆
202252.0231 of 49253.0%★★★☆☆
202141.1290 of 51643.8%★★☆☆☆
201990.249 of 58291.6%★★★★★
201853.2330 of 70853.4%★★★☆☆
How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)
Elementary school
Male (2026)81st percentile+15 vs school
Low Socio Economic Status (2026)73rd percentile+6 vs school
Special Education (2018)70th percentile-21 vs school
White (2026)58th percentile-9 vs school
Female (2026)54th percentile-12 vs school
Middle school
Male (2026)69th percentile~ school
Low Socio Economic Status (2026)64th percentile-5 vs school
White (2026)63rd percentile-7 vs school
Female (2026)60th percentile-10 vs school
High school
Low Socio Economic Status (2026)84th percentile+9 vs school
Male (2026)83rd percentile+7 vs school
White (2026)67th percentile-9 vs school
Female (2026)51st percentile-25 vs school
By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing64%+12 vs state
English Language Arts51%+11 vs state
Math49%+13 vs state
Science42%+4 vs state
Mathematics37%+4 vs state
Social Studies35%-5 vs state

4.0
4 ratings · 3 written reviews
5★3
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★1
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What people are saying
by a citizen
Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Open Quote The firemans kids go here. The village administration loves it. The kids I see that go here are respectful citizens and I am proud to live walking distance to such a great pillar of the community. People come from all over St Clair and Macomb counties to use this school. It is in a very safe family environment and neighborhood. Walkable, more side walks coming. Lots of events and activities. It really does take a village and the Village of New Haven is proud of its students and their accomplishments!!! Close Quote


Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Open Quote I love this school and the staff,so do all three of my kids. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Open Quote The school has gone to pot since the new principal took over last year. They got rid of good teachers and kept bad teachers, the PTO disbanded, the school lunches are cold and disgusting, the principal doesn't get back to you when you leave messages (some teachers don't either)... They advertise this peer mentor program they started as some great program but what it is is just having classmates help special ed kids instead of the teacher doing it (at the expense of the general ed kid's learning time). The letters that come home from school almost always have spelling and grammar errors in them. Close Quote





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Frequently Asked Questions about Merritt Academy

Merritt Academy ranks 498th of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Merritt Academy are 80% White, 9% African American, 7% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

In the 2024-25 school year, 549 students attended Merritt Academy.

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Latest Michigan data All new data »
2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026
2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026
2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026
2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026


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