Merritt Township’s public schools score below 52% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Merritt Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Merritt Township’s districts is 29%, below the Michigan average (34%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.
From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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.
Merritt Township’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 921 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Merritt Township’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 48% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Bay City spends $15,490 per student and Reese $14,964, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Merritt Township’s grade
B−: better than 48% of Michigan school districts. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Merritt Township, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Western Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 681 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Handy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 598 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 161 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Reese
7th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Western Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 681 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Handy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 598 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 161 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Reese
8th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Western Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 681 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Handy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 598 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 161 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Reese
9th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Bay City Western High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,009 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Bay City Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 921 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese High School
Grades 9–12 · 254 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Reese
10th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Bay City Western High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,009 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Bay City Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 921 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese High School
Grades 9–12 · 254 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Reese
11th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Bay City Western High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,009 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Bay City Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 921 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese High School
Grades 9–12 · 254 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Reese
12th grade in Merritt Township · depends on your address
Bay City Western High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,009 students · 24:1 students per teacher · in Auburn
Bay City Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 921 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bay City
Reese High School
Grades 9–12 · 254 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Reese
Merritt Township runs its own schools through grade 12 (Bay City School District). From grade PK, students attend the Reese Public Schools, shared with Blumfield, Buena Vista, Denmark, Gilford and Reese. Its elementary school is in Auburn. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Merritt Township
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Merritt Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Merritt Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Merritt Township | B− | Bay City PK–12 · Reese PK–12 |
| Hampton | B− | Essexville-Hampton PK–12 · Bay City PK–12 |
| Portsmouth | B− | Bay City |
| Blumfield | A | Reese PK–12 · Frankenmuth PK–12 |
| Buena Vista | C | Saginaw City PK–12 · Reese PK–12 |
| Gilford | — | Reese PK–12 · Akron-Fairgrove Schools PK–12 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Reese with Merritt Township for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Merritt Township
14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Merritt Township’s schools
Are Merritt Township’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Merritt Township children attend score below 52% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Merritt Township in?
Two districts: Bay City School District runs grades PK–12, and Reese Public Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Blumfield, Buena Vista, Denmark, Gilford and Reese.
Where do Merritt Township kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Bay City Western High School, Bay City Central High School and Reese High School.
What is Merritt Township’s graduation rate?
77% of the class of 2023 in Bay City School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Merritt Township spend per student?
$15,490 in Bay City School District and $14,964 in Reese Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Merritt Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Merritt Township → 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 Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.