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.
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