Merrill Elementary School

Merrill Elementary School is a small, rural K–6 school on West Second Street in Merrill, Oregon, serving 184 students as part of the Klamath County School District. In 2025–2026 it ranked 237th of 709 Oregon elementary schools — the 67th percentile, 3 stars, and the best standing in the school's 10-year history. Just three years ago it sat in the bottom third of the state, so this is a steady, sustained climb rather than a one-year spike.

Compared with nearby schools, Merrill stands out. Its English language arts proficiency (54.5%) is the highest in its comparison group and beats both its district and state averages, and its math proficiency (42.2%) is third-highest. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 12.6% is by far the lowest among the group and roughly one-third of the state rate, after falling from 39.9% three years ago. Most striking, its low-income students — about 91% of the student body — rank in the 88th percentile statewide with 4 stars, higher than the school's overall standing, an outcome its demographics would not typically predict. For contrast, Mills Elementary School spends far more per student ($31,108) yet posts the group's lowest achievement and 42.2% chronic absenteeism.

A few areas remain weaker. Science proficiency (26.5%) is below both district and state averages, and 5th grade — the only grade tested in science — is the school's softest point. Third-grade math (42.3%) is the one grade-level test where Merrill falls slightly below its district average. With only 184 students, single-grade and subgroup results can swing from year to year, so the three-year trend is the more reliable signal than any single number.