The philosophy of the Merrick Public Schools is to help all children develop their fullest potential to the greatest extent possible, so they can take their place in society as productive,well-adjusted, responsible citizens.

The Merrick Union Free School District is recognized or its educational leadership and excellence and its responsiveness to the individual needs and interests of all its students. The first public school in Merrick, founded in 1901, was a one-room building, which housed thirty-eight students and one teacher. The district currently enrolls 1964 students in kindergarten through the sixth grade in three schools: the Birch School, the Roland A. Chatterton School, and the Norman J. Levy Lakeside School. The district currently employees 151 classroom and special area teachers.

Our children attend the Merrick Schools through sixth grade, and then receive their junior and senior high school education in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, which serves the communities of Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore and North Bellmore. The Merrick Board of Education elects two of its members to serve on the Central High School District Board. Each of the two boards prepares and submits separate budgets for voter approval. Ours is a district with high expectations of staff and students and strong commitment to excellence in education. Over the years, residents have consistently approved budgets proposed by the Board of Education by substantial margins, and they have endorsed our efforts to enhance educational opportunities for students.