Summary
Merry Oaks International Academy is an elementary school located in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 632 students. The school is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, which is ranked 119 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger. However, Merry Oaks International Academy has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of North Carolina elementary schools over the past several years, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Merry Oaks International Academy significantly underperforms compared to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district and the state of North Carolina in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 13.5% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in reading, compared to 46.5% in the district and 46.7% statewide. The school also has a very high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 99.53% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year. This is significantly higher than the district and state averages. Despite these challenges, the school spends $11,588 per student, which is higher than the district average but still relatively low compared to some of the higher-performing nearby schools, such as Oakhurst STEAM Academy, Highland Mill Montessori, and Shamrock Gardens Elementary.
The consistent underperformance of Merry Oaks International Academy suggests that the challenges faced by the school may be specific to its student population and school environment, rather than being a district-wide issue. The lower student-teacher ratio at Merry Oaks International Academy, which is 13.9 in the 2023-2024 school year, could be a potential asset, as it may allow for more individualized attention and support for students. However, this advantage does not seem to be translating into improved academic outcomes, suggesting that other factors, such as curriculum, teaching practices, and school leadership, may need to be addressed to provide a high-quality education for all students.
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