Merrill Middle School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

634 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Merrill Middle School, located in the historic Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, serves as a vital educational hub for students in grades 6 through 8. As part of the Des Moines Public Schools district, the institution is known for fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that emphasizes academic rigor, personal growth, and community engagement. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that balances core subjects like mathematics, science, and language arts with a variety of exploratory electives, including arts, music, and physical education, designed to help students discover their unique interests and talents.

Beyond the classroom, Merrill Middle School is highly regarded for its commitment to student well-being and social-emotional development. The school prides itself on a supportive faculty and staff who prioritize building strong relationships with students, helping them navigate the transitional middle school years. With a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities—ranging from athletic programs and competitive clubs to artistic performances—Merrill provides students with numerous opportunities to develop leadership skills, cultivate school spirit, and build lasting friendships within the larger Des Moines community.

634

Total Students

36.1

Full-Time Teachers

17.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

45.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Merrill Middle School
Demographic	Student Count
White	375
Hispanic	79
Black	101
Asian	21
Two or More	54
American Indian	4

White
375 (59.1 %)
Black
101 (15.9 %)
Hispanic
79 (12.5 %)
Two or More
54 (8.5 %)
Asian
21 (3.3 %)
American Indian
4 (0.6 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Phone:	(515)242-8448
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	634
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	36.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	241
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	46

* 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

Grade 6 200

Grade 7 233

Grade 8 201