Edward C. Merlo Institute of Environmental Studies

www.merloinstitute.org

200 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

The Edward C. Merlo Institute of Environmental Studies, located in Stockton, California, is a specialized magnet high school within the Stockton Unified School District. Founded with a focus on environmental science and sustainability, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with hands-on, project-based learning. Its unique educational model is designed to prepare students for college and careers in fields related to the environment, engineering, and civic leadership, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world problem solving.

Beyond traditional classroom instruction, the Merlo Institute distinguishes itself through its commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship. The school frequently collaborates with local organizations and industry partners to provide students with internship opportunities, field research, and service-learning projects. By fostering a culture of ecological responsibility and academic excellence, the institute aims to empower its students to become informed, active citizens capable of addressing the complex environmental challenges facing their community and the global landscape.

200

Total Students

14.2

Full-Time Teachers

14.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

79.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Edward C. Merlo Institute of Environmental Studies
Demographic	Student Count
White	2
Hispanic	183
Black	9
Asian	5

Hispanic
183 (92.0%)
Black
9 (4.5%)
Asian
5 (2.5%)
White
2 (1.0%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Stockton Unified
Phone:	(209)933-7190
Website:	http://www.merloinstitute.org
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	200
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	14.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	155
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	3

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 62

Grade 10 59

Grade 11 38

Grade 12 41