Merrillville High School

276 East 68th Place

School District

Merrillville Community School
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Merrillville Community School

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 27, 2024

When my wife and I were considering moving from a top-rated school system in Illinois with our three school age children to Merrillville, we thought the school system was good but had a bad reputation. After ten years and soon to be three graduates, many activities, interactions with parents, students and faculty, I can honestly state from experience that we were correct. Many blame the system, teachers and etc… but the reality is that pupils get out of the school system what they put into it. Is the system perfect? None are. I’ve lived around the country. It is the most diverse in the region, and based on the amount and number of merit-based scholarships that Merrillville graduates annually get awarded to top-rated universities the school system is definitely doing a lot right.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2022

this school was so terribly awful to me and my family. the teachers were supposed to be a mentor to the children, but they ended up being a disaster. they lose the children's work then proceed to blame it on the same kid. they are supposed to build your kids up and encourage them to grow and do better. but all they did was yell then gave my kid the run-around. even when the answer was just something simple like having some extra help or just getting the stuff we paid for in the end. I'm just glad that I've finally made it out of Arkham asylum. I walked inside that building as a young impressionable kid and came back out with gray hair. this school is stressful. and I pray for anyone who darkens these doors. be wary. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone in the area.
Submitted by teacher on January 17, 2018

It is an awesome learning community for young people to embark on higher learning opportunities
Submitted by other on December 21, 2015

Merrillville High School is a very high achieving school. It celebrates diversity and real life. The kids get along great. People that talk poorly about the school are not well informed and probably have left the district only to find out that the grass is not greener.Involved Parent
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2015

Diversity. Inclusion. Sense of Urgency. Respect. Do it. These are some of the words that I have used in conversations with others who ask me about my kids' school. The administration works within their means to bring a meaningful experience for the children of Merrillville. There are going to be haters. But it's only because they didn't get their way. Don't listen to that and support your local high school. Go Pirates!!!
Submitted by student on August 18, 2014

I had GREAT teachers and a great counselor. With exception of just a few, they actually cared about me and showed me that they appreciated my hard work. I had such a great relationship with my teachers and counselor. They are what kept me from giving this review less than 3 stars haha. I also received quality education. HOWEVER in some classes, my classmates lacked discipline & interrupted my learning. With that being said, the majority of the students here are a mess. Speaking of mess, the school itself is rather raggedy. The freshman wing is the most recently updated& looks nice, but the rest of the school is in dire need of being remodeled. The lunch is not that great & neither are the lunch ladies. They can be VERY rude and so can the janitors.
Submitted by student on June 07, 2014

I am a current student at Merrillville, which is very embarrassing for me. It might look like we are good on paper, but visit the school for one day and you won't think so. Most of the teachers and pretty much all of the principals are worried more about titles than they are us. The students are absolutely horrible. If you are worried about safety, DO NOT come here. Last year, my friends and I were walking down the hall and saw security take a gun out of a locker. A week later, they finally sent a letter home saying that it happened. Over all, faculty and students who go here are of very poor quality. NOTHING about my school is ANYTHING like it used to be.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

Merrillville High School offers a broad choice of educational opportunities and focuses on providing support for post-high school education. It is a school with great diversity and high achievement. The school has won many awards and the Principal was just selected the Indiana Principal of the Year by the Indiana Principals Association. The academics, arts and athletics are all top-notch.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2013

I just moved to crown point and I really like it here. I think some of the posts on here are really messed up. I see that one of the problems is that some of the parents aren't focused on what their child or children are doing . Just worried about other people's kids that aren't their concern. My child hasn't had any problems and really likes it there. The teachers call me and set up meetings with me if there is a concern. I have a special needs child . Maybe these other parents need to better communicate with the school and keep that communication open on both ends. That may end the battle you might think that you are in. There is a solution to this by communicating .
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2012

I moved here four years ago from Southern Indiana and have four children in Merrillville Schools. My wife and I have been very pleased with the school system and the opportunities for our kids. The teachers show that they care and challenge students to succeed. The school is also quite diverse, which is a huge plus. I am thankful my (white) kids will grow up in a diverse school and get a quality education. I also have one special needs child and have found the resources for my child to be excellent. Great counselors, great principals, great superintendent = great school.
Submitted by student on June 04, 2012

Honestly this school gave the the worst 4 years of my life. I should've transferred while I had the chance.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2011

I recently transferred my daughter from a surburban school to Merrillville High, this decision was not made impromptu. My daughter likes the school and the teachers except for 1 who teaches physics, and gives preferrential treatment to a small group of students; in additition did not even give common courtesy to call reschedule a parent/teacher meeting after I called off from work to accomodate her time slot. As a parent I noticed a problem early and attempted to transfer her to another class; however it was stated that it was too late. Since then no progress has been made. When a teacher fails to perform, steps should be taken whether it be pay lowered or probation.
Submitted by parent on July 14, 2011

Back in the early 80s, this school was amongst the top school systems in NWI (along with Munster, Highland, Lake Central, and Crown Point)...now to even mention Merrillville in the same sentence as those other school systems will make you the laughing stock of the area! Merrillville seemed more interested in artificially growing their population (by allowing hundreds of illegal transfer students from Gary) as opposed to keeping up the standards and marketing for future long-term residents to invest in the town. Half of the people I grew up with (and their parents) have now relocated to Crown Point to much safer and quieter neighborhoods and with better schools. I am next to move. It is such a shame that my peers and I will have to recreate our awesome childhood for our children in Crown Point (a town that we used to hate and were our rivals)...but when Merrillville started allowing apartments and other sub-par building to overtake quality long-term single family housing, the downward spiral was inevitable. The only people who believe this now gang-ridden high school is still "good" are the folks that came here from places like Gary and ruined the school in the first place