MERRITT ELEMENTARY

8659 UNITY DRIVE
MOUNTAIN IRON, MN 55768

350 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 6th

School Overview

Merritt Elementary, located at 5529 Emerald Avenue in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, serves as a vital educational pillar for the local community. Part of the Mountain Iron-Buhl Public School District, the school is situated in a region with deep roots in the Mesabi Iron Range. It is known for maintaining a small-town atmosphere where educators focus on fostering a supportive environment that emphasizes both academic fundamentals and the personal development of its young students.

The school is well-regarded for its commitment to providing a balanced curriculum that prepares children for the transition to middle school and beyond. By prioritizing close relationships between students, staff, and families, Merritt Elementary strives to create an inclusive space that values community involvement and local heritage. As a hub for the Mountain Iron-Buhl area, the school plays an essential role in the district’s mission to provide quality public education while nurturing the unique talents of every student.

350

Total Students

22.5

Full-Time Teachers

15.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

45.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for MERRITT ELEMENTARY
Demographic	Student Count
White	297
Hispanic	13
Black	2
Two or More	36
American Indian	2

White
297 (84.9 %)
Two or More
36 (10.3 %)
Hispanic
13 (3.7 %)
Black
2 (0.6 %)
American Indian
2 (0.6 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Phone:	(218)735-8271
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 6th
Total Students:	350
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	22.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	130
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	30

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 32

Kindergarten 46

Grade 1 35

Grade 2 43

Grade 3 43

Grade 4 50

Grade 5 51

Grade 6 50