C
Below Average
55/100

Merrill Elem School

📚 03 – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 600 4th Ave, Rock Falls, IL 61071
Overall
C
55/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C+
0.9 grade levels below the U.S. average · 43rd percentile in Illinois
Growth
C
Students gain 0.78 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 35th percentile
Resources
A+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Illinois schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

55
Repit Score
out of 100
239
Students
enrolled
11.8:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$19K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%43/1000.9 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%35/100Students gain 0.78 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 1.12 in 2009–19; 25th percentile in Illinois (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%93/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 78% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Illinois schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +14 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Illinois. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency22% (−4 pts vs. state avg 26%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21
➗ Math proficiency22% (−0 pts vs. state avg 22%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Illinois state test (2020–21), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White22%27%reading -15 pts, math -9 pts32nd percentile (list)
Hispanic25%15%reading +9 pts, math +4 pts71st percentile (list)
Low-income22%22%reading -9 pts, math -7 pts46th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 600 4th Ave
City Rock Falls
ZIP Code 61071
District 1734350
NCES School ID 173435003522
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 61071

Understanding the community around Merrill Elem School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $55,478
Per Capita Income $33,004
Poverty Rate 13.7%
Households Earning $100K+ 24.2%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 16.7%
High School or Higher 89.4%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $102,700
Median Rent $787
Owner-Occupied 73.5%
Renter-Occupied 26.5%
View full data for ZIP 61071 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 61071 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 61071 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Merrill Elem School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 55.7%
Female 44.4%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 65.3%
Hispanic/Latino 29.7%
Two or More Races 3.4%
Black 1.3%
Asian 0.4%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 239
Teachers (FTE) 20.3
Student:Teacher Ratio 11.8:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Merrill Elem School?
Merrill Elem School has a Repit School Score of 55 out of 100, earning a grade of C. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Merrill Elem School?
Merrill Elem School has 239 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.8:1.
What grades does Merrill Elem School serve?
Merrill Elem School serves grades 03 – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Merrill Elem School receive per student?
Merrill Elem School receives $19,073 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Merrill Elem School in 61071 ▼
Avg Home Value
$124,801
Avg Monthly Rent
$825
1-Year Change
+11.2%
% Renters
26.5%

Other Schools in 61071

View all schools and real estate data for 61071 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026