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Merit College Preparatory Academy

Q: Is Merit College Preparatory Academy a good school?

Merit College Preparatory Academy ranks 38 th of 139 Utah high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Merit College Preparatory Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 456 students attended Merit College Preparatory Academy.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Merit College Preparatory Academy?

Students at Merit College Preparatory Academy are 71% White, 23% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

Public, Charter Grades 7-12

38^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 139 Utah High Schools

Better than 73% of Utah high schools

Summary

Merit College Preparatory Academy is a small public charter school in Springville, Utah County, serving grades 7–12 and 456 students in a community near Provo and other growing Utah County communities. Its small size and 13.9 student-teacher ratio offer a more personal setting than most nearby high schools, which generally enroll more than 1,200 students and have ratios above 22 students per teacher.

Merit’s most recent results show a notable academic rebound. In 2025–2026, it ranked 38th of 139 Utah schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile and earning four stars—well ahead of several nearby schools, including Orem High, Provo High, Maple Mountain High, and Springville High. Its 90.9% graduation rate was slightly above Utah’s 89.8% average, while its 8.0% dropout rate was also better than the state rate. However, attendance is a major concern: 49.9% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, more than twice the statewide rate and nearly as high as Independence High.

Recent testing suggests particular strength in high-school mathematics and science. Merit exceeded state averages in all grade 9 subjects, and its grade 10 math and science proficiency rates—39.3% and 49.1%—were higher than those reported by most nearby schools. Middle-school performance is more mixed: grade 7 math was a strength, but grades 7–8 English language arts trailed the state averages, and grade 8 science was also weaker. Families may therefore see encouraging momentum, especially in math and science, while reasonably asking how the school plans to improve attendance, literacy, and the consistency of results from year to year. The much larger and exceptionally high-performing Utah County Academy of Science is an unusual comparison rather than a typical local benchmark.

456

Students ?

13.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,734

Per pupil spending ?

32.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1440 W Center Street
Springville, UT 84663

(801) 491-7600

District: Merit College Preparatory Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.3%

Hispanic:

22.8%

Two or more races:

2.4%

See top rated Utah high schools

Compare Merit College Preparatory Academy to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 18th percentile in 2017 → 73rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 73rd (2026) from a 18th-percentile low (2017)

✓Above the Utah median (73rd percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (47% vs 22% Utah)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school47%

District avg47%

Utah avg44%

Middle school

111^th of 217

Utah public middle schools ?

Bottom 49%▲ up 22 pts since 2019

From bottom 27% (2019) to bottom 49% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Utah Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

38^th of 139

Utah public high schools ?

Top 27%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to top 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Utah High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

39^th of 92Merit College Preparatory Academy among Utah districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Utah percentile	Rating
2026	47.4	111 of 217	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.7	124 of 182	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.9	136 of 210	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.8	154 of 216	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.2	167 of 209	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.5	173 of 213	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.9	163 of 222	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	45.2	170 of 243	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	39.5	182 of 238	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Utah percentile	Rating
2022	41.9	118 of 191	38.2%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Utah percentile	Rating
2026	64.5	38 of 139	72.7%	★★★★☆
2025	34.1	95 of 138	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.0	106 of 138	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.4	99 of 139	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	57.3	47 of 131	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.3	67 of 129	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.8	68 of 136	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.4	28 of 123	77.2%	★★★★☆
2017	21.8	102 of 125	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	76.2	15 of 129	88.4%	★★★★☆
2015	66.2	26 of 131	80.2%	★★★★☆
2014	47.5	59 of 120	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	51.5	74 of 167	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	38.0	114 of 166	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	56.3	48 of 164	70.7%	★★★★☆
2010	44.9	86 of 153	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	50.7	69 of 148	53.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Utah percentile	Rating
2025	61.0	35 of 118	70.3%	★★★★☆
2024	36.7	79 of 123	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.3	53 of 122	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	69.0	26 of 123	78.9%	★★★★☆

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)

Middle school

White (2022)38th percentile+18 vs school

High school

White (2025)70th percentile+39 vs school

By subject vs Utah (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics60%+17 vs state

Science47%~ state avg

English Language Arts38%-7 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

This school's focus is on the individual student. The following is a list of the points that they reach for:
Each student is acknowledged as being valued. Each teacher tries to know the name with the face of each student in the school, and not just within the classroom. They take time to talk with (not just "to") the students, even in the hallways. Other students that I have spoken with say "the teachers care..."
They do a lot of service activities which help the students have instant success. This builds their sense of teamwork and self.
Extra research in areas of interest is promoted.
The quality of instruction is high.
This year they added a 7th and 8th grade accelerated high school track, and the quality of that program is very high in comparison with others that I am aware of. This 7/8th program caters to the needs of home schooled children. The expectations are high, but are very attainable. I see that the students who attend this school are going to be well prepared for college. Indeed, Merit has a higher than average number of students accepted to their 1st choice college.
It is good to note that all of the student's info relating to assignments, due dates, and attendance; as well as current lunch money available totals, are all online via a password protected site. The parents are kept "in the know" via emails to their personal emails. I have had teachers alert me of what difficulties my children are experiencing, before they got discouraged. Because of this extra effort my students have been able to succeed each term, and are motivated to continue to do well on their own. This builds a valuable life skill.
The staff is very helpful. There is a very positive feel to the building and those who are the staff and teachers. My three children who attend Merit College Preparatory Academy no longer dread going to school, they actually look forward to school.
I also have a student with an IEP who attends Merit. Their program director and staff are the best I have worked with. They are proactive in their approach to my student's special needs. Close Quote

Schools Near Merit College Preparatory Academy

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Utah Aspire Plus English Language Arts (2026)		Utah Aspire Plus Mathematics (2026)		Utah Aspire Plus Science (2026)		RISE English Language Arts (2026)		RISE Mathematics (2026)		RISE Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Utah Aspire Plus English Language Arts 9th Grade	Utah Aspire Plus English Language Arts 10th Grade	Utah Aspire Plus Mathematics 9th Grade	Utah Aspire Plus Mathematics 10th Grade	Utah Aspire Plus Science 9th Grade	Utah Aspire Plus Science 10th Grade	RISE English Language Arts 7th Grade	RISE English Language Arts 8th Grade	RISE Mathematics 7th Grade	RISE Mathematics 8th Grade	RISE Science 7th Grade	RISE Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Merit College Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	7-12	1440 W Center Street	Springville	84663	Utah County	Merit College Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(801) 491-7600	456	33	13.9	32.0%	325 (71.3%)	2 (0.4%)	104 (22.8%)	7 (1.5%)	2 (0.4%)	5 (1.1%)	11 (2.4%)	64.5	38^th of 139 public high schools	72.7%		34.1	95^th of 138 public high schools	31.2%	57	53.8	45.5	44.8	39.3	52.5	49.1	40.5	34.8	59.5	30–49%	47.9	45.6	$7,734	$551	$7,183
Springville High	Public	6-12	1205 E 900 S	Springville	84663	Utah County	Nebo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 489-2870	1,665	74	22.6	22.9%	1,201 (72.1%)	12 (0.7%)	338 (20.3%)	9 (0.5%)	11 (0.7%)	16 (1.0%)	78 (4.7%)	56.3	50^th of 139 public high schools	64.0%		60.6	41^st of 138 public high schools	70.3%	9		50.9		36.2		39.0							$7,954	$375	$7,579
Spanish Fork High	Public	6-12	158 N 630 West	Spanish Fork	84660	Utah County	Nebo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 798-4060	1,640	69	23.6	19.8%	1,296 (79.0%)	14 (0.9%)	250 (15.2%)	2 (0.1%)	4 (0.2%)	19 (1.2%)	55 (3.4%)	49.9	62^nd of 139 public high schools	55.4%		31.8	98^th of 138 public high schools	29.0%	36		47.5		26.4		45.4							$8,293	$382	$7,910
Maple Mountain High	Public	7-12	51 N Spanish Fork Pkwy	Spanish Fork	84660	Utah County	Nebo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 794-6740	1,902	74	25.7	11.6%	1,552 (81.6%)	7 (0.4%)	245 (12.9%)	7 (0.4%)	6 (0.3%)	9 (0.5%)	76 (4.0%)	45.4	74^th of 139 public high schools	46.8%		44	80^th of 138 public high schools	42.0%	6		47.5		28.5		38.7							$8,236	$502	$7,734
Independence High	Public	5-12	636 N Independence Ave	Provo	84601	Utah County	Provo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 374-4920	276	20	13.9	54.7%	105 (38.0%)	1 (0.4%)	145 (52.5%)	1 (0.4%)	6 (2.2%)	9 (3.3%)	9 (3.3%)								(n/a)		< 21%			< 21%	< 21%							$15,106	$779	$14,327
Provo Adult Education	Public	9-12	636 N Independence Ave	Provo	84601	Utah County	Provo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 374-4840	0	0	.0	—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Provo High	Public	7-12	1199 North Lakeshore Dr	Provo	84601	Utah County	Provo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 373-6550	2,023	79	25.5	34.9%	1,005 (49.7%)	13 (0.6%)	826 (40.8%)	27 (1.3%)	19 (0.9%)	61 (3.0%)	71 (3.5%)	31.2	99^th of 139 public high schools	28.8%		17.6	118^th of 138 public high schools	14.5%	19	39.6	40.9	27.9	22.4	46.7	35.3							$9,806	$484	$9,322
Timpview High	Public	9-12	3570 N 650 E	Provo	84604	Utah County	Provo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 221-9720	2,300	93	24.7	25.3%	1,437 (62.5%)	22 (1.0%)	585 (25.4%)	48 (2.1%)	11 (0.5%)	97 (4.2%)	100 (4.3%)	66.7	35^th of 139 public high schools	74.8%		53.7	60^th of 138 public high schools	56.5%	25	52.7	57.9	46.8	40.9	47.1	44.5							$9,035	$473	$8,562
Salem Hills High	Public	9-12	150 N Skyhawk Blvd	Salem	84653	Utah County	Nebo District	No	No	No	No	(801) 423-3200	1,593	65	24.6	16.7%	1,319 (82.8%)	10 (0.6%)	200 (12.6%)	9 (0.6%)	3 (0.2%)	4 (0.3%)	48 (3.0%)	54.4	56^th of 139 public high schools	59.7%		55.8	54^th of 138 public high schools	60.9%	2		47.3		36.0		40.8							$8,456	$522	$7,934
Orem High	Public	10-12	175 S 400 E	Orem	84097	Utah County	Alpine District	No	No	No	No	(801) 610-8165	1,225	52	23.6	21.3%	822 (67.1%)	8 (0.7%)	293 (23.9%)	12 (1.0%)	4 (0.3%)	36 (2.9%)	50 (4.1%)	30.5	100^th of 139 public high schools	28.1%		51.1	64^th of 138 public high schools	53.6%	36		41.8		26.5		29.9							$9,355	$375	$8,979

Frequently Asked Questions about Merit College Preparatory Academy

How many students attend Merit College Preparatory Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 456 students attended Merit College Preparatory Academy.

What district is Merit College Preparatory Academy in?

Merit College Preparatory Academy

Is Merit College Preparatory Academy a good school?

Merit College Preparatory Academy ranks 38^th of 139 Utah high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Merit College Preparatory Academy?

Students at Merit College Preparatory Academy are 71% White, 23% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

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Latest Utah data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataOct 6, 2026

2025–26 RISE & Utah Aspire Plus test scoresSep 8, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesDec 16, 2025

2024–25 attendance dataOct 30, 2025

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