Loomis Historic District · Photo: Dlong417 · CC BY-SA 3.0Merriam’s public schools outscore 84% of Kansas districts
On the state reading tests, 45% of Merriam’s students scored proficient, above the Kansas average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Merriam, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kansas, not nationally.
From Kansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Merriam’s schools, in brief
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 45% and math 40% in spring 2022, against 32% and 29% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,332 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then five middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Merriam’s grade
A−: better than 84% of Kansas school districts, #20 of 151 Kansas towns. Test scores are above the Kansas average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Merriam, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Merriam · depends on your address
Merriam Park Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 415 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Crestview Elem
Grades PK–6 · 374 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Merriam’s public schools are run by Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Merriam vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Merriam’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Merriam | A− | Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified |
| Overland Park | A | Blue Valley Unified School District 229 PK–12 · Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified PK–12 |
| Shawnee | A | De Soto Unified School District 232 PK–12 · Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified PK–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified with Merriam, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Merriam
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Merriam’s schools
Are Merriam’s schools good?
By Kansas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Merriam children attend outscore 84% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #20 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Merriam in?
Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 26,330 students in 45 schools (2024–25).
Where do Merriam kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Shawnee Mission East High, Shawnee Mission Northwest High, Shawnee Mission West High, Shawnee Mission South High and Shawnee Mission North High.
What is Merriam’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Merriam spend per student?
$13,332 in Shawnee Mission Public Schools Unified School District (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Merriam families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Merriam → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kansas. Stars are from neighbors.