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Excellent

#1 of 225 private schools in AZ

Top 1% of private schools

Desert Garden Montessori

School

5130 E WARNER RD, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 23 schools in Phoenix. Learn more

Enrollment

178

Student-Teacher

4.1:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#1 of 44

public schools

Arizona schools

#1 of 67

About Desert Garden Montessori

Desert Garden Montessori serves 178 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Phoenix, offering a unique public Montessori education across all grade levels. With an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.1:1 and 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides individualized attention that's rare in public education settings. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #26 out of 225 schools statewide and achieving a 9.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating, placing it in the 89th percentile among Arizona schools.

This outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and collaborative play. Desert Garden Montessori's small size creates an intimate learning environment where students can develop at their own pace while building strong relationships with teachers and peers. The Montessori approach, typically found in elementary settings, extends here through high school, offering families a consistent educational philosophy throughout their children's academic journey.

The school is situated in an established Phoenix neighborhood where families value education, with 51% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $92,041. This supportive community environment complements the school's innovative approach to learning in Arizona's dynamic educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 178 students, Desert Garden Montessori 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 4.1:1, Desert Garden Montessori 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, Desert Garden Montessori 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$27,723
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$30,342
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.09x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
81%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$7.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 178 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Desert Garden Montessori compares to 449 public schools serving similar grades in Phoenix, AZ

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.1:1
This School
vs
17.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
178
This School
vs
510
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
9.3
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 52.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 15.7% vs 0%
Black 3.9% vs 0%
Asian 3.4% vs 0%
Desert Garden Montessori Phoenix Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Desert Garden Montessori (this school) 9.3
Mountain Pointe High School 5.9
Kyrene de las Lomas School 8.4
BASIS Ahwatukee 7.7
Kyrene de la Esperanza School 4.9
Kyrene de la Colina School 5.9
Kyrene Centennial Middle School 5.5
Horizon Honors Secondary School 6.1
Horizon Honors Elementary School 4.9
Kyrene del Milenio 5.7
South Valley Prep and Arts School 4.8
South Phoenix Prep and Arts Academy 3.9
Kyrene Monte Vista School 7.8
Kyrene De Los Lagos School 6.8
Desert Vista High School 6.9
Nevitt Elementary School 4.7
Cloves C Campbell Sr Elementary School 6.6
Kyrene Akimel A-Al Middle School 6.7
Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School 5.1
Desert Marigold School 5.9
AAEC - SMCC Campus 4.6

Showing 20 of 449 schools. View all schools in Phoenix

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 AZ.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,404
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 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- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 178
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 AZ

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 52.2%
Two or More 16.3%
Hispanic 15.7%
Native American 5.6%
Black 3.9%
Asian 3.4%
Pacific Islander 2.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

5130 E WARNER RD, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Garden Montessori may also want to explore other schools in the area. BASIS Ahwatukee (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY - CHANDLER (rated 7.6/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Chandler), a more accessible option. Additionally, VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (rated 5.3/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Chandler), a more accessible option. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Mountain Pointe High School Phoenix 1.1 mi 5.9
BASIS Ahwatukee Phoenix 1.3 mi 7.7
Kyrene de las Lomas School Phoenix 1.2 mi 8.4
Kyrene de las Manitas School Tempe 1.3 mi 4.1
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Chandler 1.7 mi 5.3
Kyrene de la Esperanza School Phoenix 1.9 mi 4.9
Kyrene de la Colina School Phoenix 2.0 mi 5.9
ST JOHN BOSCO CATHOLIC Phoenix 2.4 mi 6.4
Kyrene Centennial Middle School Phoenix 2.1 mi 5.5
Kyrene Digital Academy Tempe 2.1 mi 4.5
Horizon Honors Secondary School Phoenix 2.5 mi 6.1
Horizon Honors Elementary School Phoenix 2.5 mi 4.9
Kyrene del Milenio Phoenix 2.5 mi 5.7
Frank Elementary School Guadalupe 2.6 mi 4.0
TAPBI Tempe 2.5 mi 7.8
Kyrene de la Mariposa School Tempe 2.3 mi 7.9
Wood School Tempe 2.8 mi 6.3
Kyrene de la Mirada School Chandler 2.7 mi 6.3
Getz School Tempe 2.9 mi 7.6
BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY - CHANDLER Chandler 2.9 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,374

Median Home Value

$437,400

Median Rent

$1,798/mo

Population

40,419

College Educated

50.4%

Homeownership

62.3%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Garden Montessori has a median household income of $96,374. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $437,400, with a median rent of $1,798/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
AUTISM ACADEMY OF EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Gilbert, AZ 8.4
91ST PSALM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 7.9
VERITAS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Sierra Vista, AZ 7.9
Colearn Academy Arizona Green Valley, AZ
Leupp School Inc. Winslow, AZ
Rough Rock Community School Chinle, AZ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Garden Montessori

What grades does Desert Garden Montessori serve?

Desert Garden Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Desert Garden Montessori?

Desert Garden Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Garden Montessori?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Garden Montessori is 4.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Desert Garden Montessori rank in AZ?

Desert Garden Montessori is ranked #1 out of 225 private schools in AZ.

What is Desert Garden Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Garden Montessori has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Desert Garden Montessori a private school?

Yes, Desert Garden Montessori 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 Desert Garden Montessori a religious school?

No, Desert Garden Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
178
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large City
County
MARICOPA
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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