Welcome to Merrill

Welcome to Albert W. Merrill Middle School, home of the “Mustangs.” Since 1961, Merrill has been celebrating academic excellence by providing our students with a safe and welcoming educational environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning. Our theme, “Achieving Academic Excellence for All,” really embodies the tradition and spirit of what middle level education at Merrill is really all about.

What really makes Merrill great is a combination of excellent parents/guardians, dedicated teachers, instructional support staff, students, educational business partners, administration, and the Merrill community of learners. At Merrill, we feel strongly that education is a team effort.

Research clearly indicates when parents/guardians are involved, students have:

• Higher grades, higher test scores, and improved learning
• Better school attendance
• Increased motivation and better self-esteem
• Lower rates of suspensions and fewer incidents of violence and/or acts of inappropriate behavior

In the spring of 2007, Merrill decided that it was in the best interest of our students, parents/guardians, teachers, support staff, administration, and the Merrill community of learners to pursue the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB/MYP).

I am excited to share with you that in March 2011 we received our authorization to offer the Middle Years Programme at Merrill Middle School as an IB World School. As a result of this authorization, I am proud to say that Merrill has made educational history in Iowa by becoming one of only two middle-level schools to receive such a prestigious designation.

As an IB World School, the future for our school and your child is very bright. Our vision is to incorporate the fundamental concepts, educational philosophy, and unique characteristics of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme into our existing effort of providing our students at Merrill with high academic and challenging educational curriculum. While engaging our students in this rigorous and relevant learning process, we will also provide them with a safe and orderly learning environment where intercultural awareness is enriched, character counts, and students become international-minded, life-long learners.

We are excited about this awesome educational opportunity of becoming an IB World School. We certainly encourage parents/guardians over the course of the next three years to get involved in their child’s learning experience by asking questions and seeking additional information regarding what this “World School” authorization means for our school, our district, and the Merrill community.

As principal of Albert W. Merrill Middle School, I am proud of the high standard of academic excellence at Merrill and look forward to serving our parents/guardians, teachers, staff, the Merrill community, and especially your child.

Together, We Can Make A Difference!