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Excellent

#34 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 2% of private schools

Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch

Elementary School

26462 TOWNE CENTRE DR, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

127

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

California elementary schools

#16 of 1,102

About Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch

Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch serves students in kindergarten through fourth grade in the heart of Foothill Ranch, with 127 students learning in an intimate environment that maintains a remarkable 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public elementary school benefits from having 16 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention that supports each child's academic journey. The school has earned strong recognition for its educational approach, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #535 out of 1790 schools statewide, placing it in the 70th percentile among California elementary schools.

This impressive standing reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in its early elementary years. Located on Towne Centre Drive, the school operates within Foothill Ranch's well-established suburban community in Orange County. The Montessori approach evident in the school's name suggests a focus on child-centered learning that encourages independence and hands-on exploration.

With its small enrollment and excellent student-teacher ratio, families can expect their children to receive individualized attention in a nurturing educational environment. The school sits within the vibrant Foothill Ranch area, offering students access to the benefits of a large suburban community while maintaining the close-knit feel that comes with a smaller school setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 127 students, Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch 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 7.9:1, Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch 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, Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch 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 Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch compares to the 1 public school in Foothill Ranch, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
This School
vs
27.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
127
This School
vs
1,065
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 44.1% vs 0%
White 27.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 14.2% vs 0%
Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch Foothill Ranch Public Avg

All Schools in Foothill Ranch

School Rating
Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch (this school) 8.4
Foothill Ranch Elementary 6.2

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 CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,330
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 69%
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 127
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 CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Asian 44.1%
White 27.6%
Hispanic 14.2%
Two or More 14.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

26462 TOWNE CENTRE DR, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Portola Hills Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Trabuco Canyon), with a comparable rating. Another option is Portola Springs Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Irvine), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lake Forest Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Lake Forest), a more accessible option. For more schools in Foothill Ranch, see our Foothill Ranch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Foothill Ranch Elementary Foothill Ranch 0.4 mi 6.2
Rahma Academy Lake Forest 0.8 mi
Fulbright Montessori Academy Lake Forest 1.1 mi
FULBRIGHT MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lake Forest 1.1 mi
BELLA MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Lake Forest 1.3 mi
HERITAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lake Forest 1.5 mi
Trabuco Hills High Mission Viejo 2.1 mi 7.1
Del Lago Elementary Mission Viejo 2.3 mi 3.9
Lake Forest Elementary Lake Forest 2.5 mi 6.5
Portola Hills Elementary Trabuco Canyon 2.1 mi 7.6
LAKE FOREST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lake Forest 2.4 mi
Loma Ridge Elementary Irvine 2.3 mi 5.7
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mission Viejo 2.7 mi 6.9
Rancho Canada Elementary Lake Forest 2.7 mi 5.1
Portola Springs Elementary Irvine 2.6 mi 6.8
Solis Park Irvine 2.6 mi 6.1
HILLSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silverado 2.6 mi
La Madera Elementary Lake Forest 3.1 mi 5.4
Portola High Irvine 2.7 mi 7.7
El Toro High Lake Forest 3.2 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$181,188

Median Home Value

$939,000

Median Rent

$3,120/mo

Population

13,182

College Educated

64%

Homeownership

81.4%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

2.6%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch has a median household income of $181,188. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $939,000, with a median rent of $3,120/month. The local poverty rate of 2.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Annandale Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.4
Bangor Union Elementary Bangor, CA 8.4
GOLDEN BRIDGES SCHOOL San Francisco, CA 8.4
Kernville Elementary Lake Isabella, CA 8.4
Avalon Gardens Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.3
BERKELEY ROSE WALDORF SCHOOL Berkeley, CA 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch

What grades does Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch serve?

Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch?

Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch has an enrollment of approximately 127 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch?

The student-teacher ratio at Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch rank in CA?

Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch is ranked #34 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch's MySchoolScout rating?

Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch a private school?

Yes, Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch 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 Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch a religious school?

No, Guidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
127
Gender Split
36% M / 64% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
190 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
ORANGE
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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