Is Mercer School a good school?

Mercer School ranks 388 th of 1061 Wisconsin alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Mercer School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 105 students attended Mercer School.

What is the racial makeup of Mercer School?

Students at Mercer School are 83% White, 10% Hispanic, 4% American Indian, 4% Two or more races.

Mercer School

Summary:

Mercer School is an alternative public school in Mercer, Wisconsin, serving grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 121 students. This small school has consistently maintained an impressive 100% four-year graduation rate, significantly outperforming the state average, and has a very low dropout rate ranging from 0% to 1.2% over the past 5 school years.

Mercer School stands out for its exceptional academic performance, spending significantly more per student ($16,871 to $20,658 per student) compared to the state average, and maintaining a small student-teacher ratio of 6 to 7.2 over the past 3 school years. These factors likely contribute to the school's strong graduation and retention rates. However, the school has experienced a concerning rise in chronic absenteeism, from 0.7% in 2018-2019 to 20.2% in 2022-2023, which warrants further investigation and intervention.

While Mercer School performs well compared to the Mercer School District average, its academic performance is more mixed when compared to the state of Wisconsin, with some subject areas and grade levels outperforming the state average, while others fall behind. Addressing these academic gaps, particularly in Mathematics, could be an area of focus for the school moving forward.

Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

2690 W Margaret St
Mercer, WI 54547

(715) 388-8266

District: Mercer School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
388^th of 1,061 Wisconsin Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $20,658

Student/teacher ratio: 7.0

Number of students: 105

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.9%

Hispanic:

9.5%

American Indian:

3.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 60%

See top rated Wisconsin elementary schools

Compare Mercer School to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Mercer School ranks better than 63.4% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 66.17. (See more...)

Compare Details Mercer School ranks better than 75.5% of middle schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 72.1. (See more...)

Compare Details Mercer School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2015 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75.56. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Mercer School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (82.9%), Hispanic (9.5%), American Indian (3.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 60% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mercer School is 7. (See more...)

Compare Mercer School employs 15 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mercer School is $20,658.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Mercer School:

SchoolDigger ranks Mercer School 388^th of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Mercer School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Mercer School 157^th of 641 Wisconsin public middle schools. (See Mercer School in the ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Mercer School.

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Your rating for Mercer School?

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Rank History for Mercer School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Mercer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WI State Percentile
2005	62.86	297^th	632	53.0%
2006	82.43	69^th	712	90.3%
2008	85.18	22^nd	1021	97.8%
2009	79.58	108^th	1030	89.5%
2010	57.75	527^th	1045	49.6%
2011	58.61	509^th	1046	51.3%
2012	69.53	292^nd	1045	72.1%
2013	39.79	755^th	1053	28.3%
2014	40.94	751^st	1061	29.2%
2015	70.15	285^th	1076	73.5%
2016	81.91	135^th	1075	87.4%
2017	66.50	350^th	1071	67.3%
2018	69.84	284^th	1025	72.3%
2019	81.13	138^th	1037	86.7%
2021	77.95	180^th	1050	82.9%
2022	46.64	642^nd	1067	39.8%
2023	37.30	741^st	1067	30.6%
2024	66.17	388^th	1061	63.4%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Mercer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WI State Percentile
2018	56.27	302^nd	686	56.0%
2019	60.00	287^th	718	60.0%
2024	65.19	242^nd	727	66.7%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mercer School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Mercer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile
2004	80.20	33^rd	324	89.8%
2005	51.72	224^th	332	32.5%
2006	80.21	26^th	382	93.2%
2008	56.48	290^th	519	44.1%
2009	70.33	125^th	521	76.0%
2010	82.74	25^th	539	95.4%
2011	70.87	115^th	549	79.1%
2012	58.13	296^th	559	47.0%
2013	49.96	343^rd	569	39.7%
2014	62.95	211^th	585	63.9%
2015	62.45	223^rd	612	63.6%
2016	74.74	103^rd	609	83.1%
2017	43.68	372^nd	612	39.2%
2018	39.00	398^th	579	31.3%
2019	23.77	497^th	594	16.3%
2021	28.26	483^rd	613	21.2%
2022	28.98	475^th	617	23.0%
2023	45.06	373^rd	640	41.7%
2024	72.10	157^th	641	75.5%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mercer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	1.97	487^th	487	0.0%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Mercer School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WI State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	16.28	334^th	375	10.9%
2022	25.53	323^rd	397	18.6%

See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Mercer School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WI State Percentile
2004	88.16	5^th	275	98.2%
2005	54.72	177^th	287	38.3%
2008	78.25	47^th	437	89.2%
2009	10.52	406^th	438	7.3%
2014	64.03	161^st	462	65.2%
2015	75.56	60^th	466	87.1%

See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Friday, November 19, 2010

I do not recommend sending your children to Mercer school. Kids are missing out on alot of opportunities attending such a tiny, closed minded district. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Mercer School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1989	57	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	57
1990	42	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	42
1991	55	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	55
1992	58	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	58
1993	57	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	57
1994	67	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	67
1995	77	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	77
1996	77	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	77
1997	81	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	81
1998	78	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	78
1999	80	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	81
2000	86	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	88
2001	228	0	1	0	3	n/a	n/a	232
2002	208	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	210
2003	208	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	210
2004	197	0	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	198
2005	187	0	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	188
2006	185	1	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	187
2007	166	1	2	0	1	n/a	n/a	170
2008	153	1	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	158
2009	135	0	2	1	9	n/a	n/a	147
2010	119	0	3	1	1	n/a	n/a	124
2011	100	1	0	0	1	2	1	105
2012	117	1	2	1	2	2	1	126
2013	135	1	2	2	2	0	0	142
2014	131	1	1	2	3	0	0	138
2015	129	1	1	3	9	1	0	144
2016	134	1	1	4	7	0	0	147
2017	130	1	1	5	7	0	2	146
2018	133	1	1	7	6	0	3	151
2019	127	1	1	8	6	0	2	145
2020	134	1	1	11	8	0	3	158
2021	111	0	0	7	8	0	3	129
2022	91	0	2	9	6	0	2	110
2023	98	0	0	13	5	0	5	121
2024	87	0	0	10	4	0	4	105

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mercer School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	57	5.2	10.9	35.1
1990	42	4.2	10.0	47.6
1991	55	11.4	4.8	18.2
1992	58	10.1	5.7	29.3
1993	57	8.9	6.4	17.5
1994	67	9.1	7.4	23.9
1995	77	7.3	10.5	19.5
1996	77	7.3	10.5	19.5
1997	81	7.5	10.8	19.8
1998	78	7.7	10.1	23.1
1999	81	7.6	10.7	30.9
2000	88	7.9	11.1	23.9
2001	232	16.8	13.8	26.7
2002	210	16.1	13.0	31.9
2003	210	16.1	13.0	31.9
2004	198	19.2	10.3	24.7
2005	188	16.8	11.2	n/a
2006	187	16.8	11.1	n/a
2007	170	18.3	9.3	25.9
2008	158	19.4	8.1	31.6
2009	147	17.2	8.5	52.4
2010	124	17.1	7.2	58.9
2011	105	16.1	6.5	63.8
2012	126	15.0	8.3	63.5
2013	142	18.0	7.8	59.9
2014	138	18.5	7.4	60.1
2015	144	n/a	n/a	63.2
2016	147	19.0	7.7	55.1
2017	146	19.1	7.6	54.1
2018	151	20.1	7.5	50.3
2019	145	20.1	7.1	51
2020	158	18.0	8.7	52.5
2021	129	17.7	7.2	58.1
2022	110	18.0	6.0	55.5
2023	121	18.0	6.7	65.3
2024	105	15.0	7.0	60

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mercer School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	57	5.2	10.9	35.1
1990	42	4.2	10.0	47.6
1991	55	11.4	4.8	18.2
1992	58	10.1	5.7	29.3
1993	57	8.9	6.4	17.5
1994	67	9.1	7.4	23.9
1995	77	7.3	10.5	19.5
1996	77	7.3	10.5	19.5
1997	81	7.5	10.8	19.8
1998	78	7.7	10.1	23.1
1999	81	7.6	10.7	30.9
2000	88	7.9	11.1	23.9
2001	232	16.8	13.8	26.7
2002	210	16.1	13.0	31.9
2003	210	16.1	13.0	31.9
2004	198	19.2	10.3	24.7
2005	188	16.8	11.2	n/a
2006	187	16.8	11.1	n/a
2007	170	18.3	9.3	25.9
2008	158	19.4	8.1	31.6
2009	147	17.2	8.5	52.4
2010	124	17.1	7.2	58.9
2011	105	16.1	6.5	63.8
2012	126	15.0	8.3	63.5
2013	142	18.0	7.8	59.9
2014	138	18.5	7.4	60.1
2015	144	n/a	n/a	63.2
2016	147	19.0	7.7	55.1
2017	146	19.1	7.6	54.1
2018	151	20.1	7.5	50.3
2019	145	20.1	7.1	51
2020	158	18.0	8.7	52.5
2021	129	17.7	7.2	58.1
2022	110	18.0	6.0	55.5
2023	121	18.0	6.7	65.3
2024	105	15.0	7.0	60

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mercer School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$809 (4.2%)	$18,437 (95.8%)	$19,246
2020	$838 (5.0%)	$16,034 (95.0%)	$16,871
2021	$1,443 (7.0%)	$19,216 (93.0%)	$20,658

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mercer School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 138^th of 1037 Elementary schools	Ranks 741^st of 1067 Elementary schools	56.1%
Ranks 497^th of 594 Middle schools	Ranks 373^rd of 640 Middle schools	25.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School)	87.5	21.4	66.1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School District)	87.5	21.4	66.1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	39.5	37.9	1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mercer School)	87.5	21.4	66.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mercer School District)	87.5	21.4	66.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	50.5	48.8	1.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School)	71.4	27.3	44.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School District)	71.4	27.3	44.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	43.9	42.5	1.4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School)	42.9	45.5	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School District)	42.9	45.5	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	46.2	45	1.3%
4th Grade Social Studies (Mercer School)	85.7	72.7	13%
4th Grade Social Studies (Mercer School District)	85.7	72.7	13%
4th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	53.4	59.7	6.4%
4th Grade Science (Mercer School)	85.7	45.5	40.3%
4th Grade Science (Mercer School District)	85.7	45.5	40.3%
4th Grade Science (Wisconsin)	53.9	51.9	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School)	50	36.4	13.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School District)	50	36.4	13.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	40.9	39.2	1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School)	75	63.6	11.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School District)	75	63.6	11.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	47.8	48.4	0.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School)	55.6	50	5.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School District)	55.6	50	5.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	41.7	38.4	3.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School)	44.4	66.7	22.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School District)	44.4	66.7	22.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	43.5	39.7	3.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School)	0	57.1	57.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School District)	0	57.1	57.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	45.5	41.1	4.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School)	22.2	42.9	20.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School District)	22.2	42.9	20.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	39.7	35.7	4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School)	9.1	12.5	3.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mercer School District)	9.1	12.5	3.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Wisconsin)	37.3	37.8	0.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School)	18.2	0	18.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mercer School District)	18.2	0	18.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Wisconsin)	36.5	31.8	4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Mercer School)	18.2	50	31.8%
8th Grade Social Studies (Mercer School District)	18.2	50	31.8%
8th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	52.1	59.2	7.1%
8th Grade Science (Mercer School)	36.4	62.5	26.1%
8th Grade Science (Mercer School District)	36.4	62.5	26.1%
8th Grade Science (Wisconsin)	54.6	49.4	5.3%
10th Grade Social Studies (Mercer School)	33.3	21.4	11.9%
10th Grade Social Studies (Mercer School District)	33.3	21.4	11.9%
10th Grade Social Studies (Wisconsin)	45.9	47.2	1.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	145	121	16.6%
African American	1	0	100%
American Indian	6	5	16.7%
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	8	13	62.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	127	98	22.8%
Two or More Races	2	5	150%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	51%	65.3%	14.3%

Schools Near Mercer School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				Forward Exam English Language Arts (2024)			Forward Exam Mathematics (2024)			Forward Exam Social Studies (2024)			Forward Exam Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2021)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	Forward Exam English Language Arts 4th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 6th Grade	Forward Exam English Language Arts 8th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 4th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 6th Grade	Forward Exam Mathematics 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 4th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 8th Grade	Forward Exam Social Studies 10th Grade	Forward Exam Science 4th Grade	Forward Exam Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Mercer School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2690 W Margaret St	Mercer	54547	Iron County	Mercer School District	No	No	No	Yes	(715) 388-8266	105	15	7.0	60.0%	87 (82.9%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (9.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.8%)								(n/a)	75.0	60.0	85.7	62.5	40.0	85.7	87.5	71.4	0.0	62.5	85.7	$20,658	$1,443	$19,216

Mercer School

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Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

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Rank History for Mercer School

Rank History for all elementary school students at Mercer School

Rank History for elementary school White students at Mercer School

Rank History for Mercer School

Rank History for all middle school students at Mercer School

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Mercer School

Rank History for middle school White students at Mercer School

Rank History for Mercer School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Mercer School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mercer School

Student/Teacher Ratio Mercer School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mercer School

Impact of COVID-19 on Mercer School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Mercer School

Mercer School

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