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Excellent

#3 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 1% of private schools

Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy

Elementary School

5509 TIMBER HILL RD, Birmingham, AL 35242

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 58 schools in Birmingham. Learn more

Enrollment

117

Student-Teacher

6.1:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#1 of 31

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#2 of 65

About Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy

Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy serves 117 students in grades prekindergarten through eighth grade in Birmingham, Alabama's Shelby County. This regular public school stands out with an exceptional MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10, ranking 64th among Alabama's 206 elementary schools, placing it in the 69th percentile statewide. The school offers an intimate learning environment with just 19 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an outstanding 6.1 to 1 student-teacher ratio that allows for highly personalized attention and instruction.

This low ratio supports the Montessori educational approach, which emphasizes individualized learning and student-directed activity. The academy draws families from the 35242 ZIP code area, a well-established community where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects strong educational values, with a median household income of $115,541 and median home values around $433,800.

The low poverty rate of 5.6% among the area's 56,466 residents indicates a stable, resource-rich community. Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy operates in Birmingham's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both suburban tranquility and the cultural and educational opportunities of a major metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 117 students, Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1, Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy compares to 53 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
This School
vs
19.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
117
This School
vs
490
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.6
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 54.7% vs 0%
Asian 23.9% vs 0%
Black 11.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.1% vs 0%
Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy Birmingham Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy (this school) 8.6
Oak Mountain Intermediate School 7.6
Oak Mountain Elementary School 8.4
Oak Mountain Middle School 5.6
Inverness Elementary School 9.0
Mt Laurel Elementary School 8.1
Jefferson County Virtual School 4.0
Magic City Acceptance Academy 8.0
Oxmoor K5 6.4
Glen Iris Elementary School 5.5
EPIC Alternative Elementary School 7.3
Washington K8 7.1
Avondale Elementary School 7.6
Richard Arrington Elementary 7.5
Jones Valley Middle School 5.8
Hemphill Elementary School 7.4
West End Academy 6.7
Phillips Academy 6.8
Hayes K8 7.4
Oliver K5 School 8.9
Green Acres Middle School 5.2

Showing 20 of 53 schools. View all schools in Birmingham

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 63%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 117
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 54.7%
Asian 23.9%
Black 11.1%
Hispanic 5.1%
Two or More 5.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

5509 TIMBER HILL RD, Birmingham, AL 35242

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (rated 9.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Vestavia Hills), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Riverchase Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rocky Ridge Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham 0.2 mi 5.9
Oak Mountain Intermediate School Birmingham 0.4 mi 7.6
Oak Mountain High School Birmingham 0.5 mi 6.4
Oak Mountain Elementary School Birmingham 1.2 mi 8.4
Oak Mountain Middle School Birmingham 1.3 mi 5.6
Spain Park High School Hoover 2.3 mi 6.3
Berry Middle School Hoover 2.5 mi 7.3
ARDENT PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE Hoover 2.2 mi
Chelsea High School Chelsea 3.5 mi 6.4
Inverness Elementary School Birmingham 3.8 mi 9.0
Rocky Ridge Elementary School Hoover 4.0 mi 9.1
GODS HOUSE KINDERGARTEN AND DAY CARE Birmingham 4.6 mi
HOOVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hoover 4.2 mi 7.4
Linda Nolen Learning Center Pelham 4.7 mi 6.6
Pelham Oaks Pelham 4.8 mi 7.7
Vestavia Hills High School Vestavia 5.0 mi 7.7
RIVERCHASE UNITED METHODIST DAY SCHOOL Hoover 4.4 mi
ESSENTIAL CHURCH SCHOOL Birmingham 4.7 mi 3.4
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge Vestavia Hills 5.5 mi 9.6
Riverchase Elementary School Hoover 4.7 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,053

Median Home Value

$452,300

Median Rent

$1,430/mo

Population

56,956

College Educated

64.5%

Homeownership

73.2%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy has a median household income of $116,053. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,300, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gadsden, AL 8.6
New Bethel Elementary School Tuscumbia, AL 8.8
ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 8.3
Ruhuma Junior High School Fort Payne, AL 8.3
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY Cullman, AL 8.3
ABC Elementary Alberta, AL 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy

What grades does Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy serve?

Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy?

Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy has an enrollment of approximately 117 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy is 6.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy rank in AL?

Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy is ranked #3 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy has a composite rating of 8.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy a private school?

Yes, Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy a religious school?

No, Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,331/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Birmingham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
117
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
SHELBY
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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