Very Good
#232 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 13% of private schools
Maria Montessori School
Elementary School
4544 POCAHONTAS AVE, San Diego, CA 92117
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 286 schools in San Diego. Learn more
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
105
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In San Diego
#6 of 56
public schools
California elementary schools
#122 of 1,102
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Maria Montessori School
Maria Montessori School serves 105 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in San Diego's 92117 zip code. This small regular public school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 8 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 that allows for personalized attention. The school earns a solid MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10, though it ranks in the 44th percentile among California's elementary schools at #1001 out of 1790 schools statewide.
This positioning suggests the school provides a quality education while having room for continued academic growth. Located on Pocahontas Avenue, Maria Montessori School sits in an affluent San Diego neighborhood where the median household income reaches $101,445 and median home values average $836,800. The surrounding community is well-educated, with half of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 9.4%.
The school's small size of 105 students across ten grade levels creates a close-knit educational community where students can develop meaningful relationships with peers and teachers. Maria Montessori School operates within one of San Diego's established residential neighborhoods, serving families in a diverse large city setting with strong educational values and economic stability.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 105 students, Maria Montessori School 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.
As a private school, Maria Montessori School 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
- $98,114
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $102,757
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.05x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 91%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $27.6M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 105 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Maria Montessori School compares to 248 public schools serving similar grades in San Diego, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Maria Montessori School (this school) | 7.5 |
| Cadman Elementary | 7.1 |
| Field Elementary | 8.7 |
| Whitman Elementary | 8.7 |
| Alcott Elementary | 3.9 |
| John Muir Language Academy | 7.4 |
| Marston Middle | 7.8 |
| Mt. Everest Academy | 8.5 |
| Hawthorne Elementary | 5.0 |
| Holmes Elementary | 8.8 |
| Whittier K-12 | 6.4 |
| Toler Elementary | 7.0 |
| Spreckels Elementary | 8.2 |
| High Tech Middle Mesa | 6.6 |
| High Tech Elementary Mesa | 4.1 |
| Creative Performing and Media Arts | 4.8 |
| Sequoia Elementary | 9.4 |
| Sessions Elementary | 5.9 |
| Barnard Elementary | 7.6 |
| Standley Middle | 7.1 |
| Riley/New Dawn | 6.8 |
Showing 20 of 248 schools. View all schools in San Diego
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
4544 POCAHONTAS AVE, San Diego, CA 92117
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Maria Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Holmes Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitman Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Field Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Montessori School San Diego | 0.0 mi | — |
| Cadman Elementary San Diego | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Whitman Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Field Elementary San Diego | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Alcott Elementary San Diego | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| John Muir Language Academy San Diego | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Clairemont High San Diego | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Japanese Academy of San Diego San Diego | 1.0 mi | — |
| JAPANESE ACADEMY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego | 1.1 mi | — |
| Marston Middle San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Learning Choice Academy Santee | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Mt. Everest Academy San Diego | 1.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Toler Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Hawthorne Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Holmes Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Whittier K-12 San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Spreckels Elementary San Diego | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| MISSION BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY San Diego | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Barnard Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Standley Middle San Diego | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$105,286
Median Home Value
$914,400
Median Rent
$2,115/mo
Population
52,645
College Educated
50.7%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Maria Montessori School has a median household income of $105,286. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $914,400, with a median rent of $2,115/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Lafayette Park Primary Center Los Angeles, CA | 7.5 |
| MCDOWELL SCHOOL Laguna Niguel, CA | 7.5 |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Fremont, CA | 7.5 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Tujunga, CA | 7.5 |
| ST BRIGID SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 7.5 |
| ST CATHERINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Martinez, CA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Maria Montessori School
What grades does Maria Montessori School serve?
Maria Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Maria Montessori School?
Maria Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 105 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Maria Montessori School?
The student-teacher ratio at Maria Montessori School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Maria Montessori School rank in CA?
Maria Montessori School is ranked #232 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Maria Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?
Maria Montessori School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Maria Montessori School a private school?
Yes, Maria Montessori School 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 Maria Montessori School a religious school?
No, Maria Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 55 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 105
- Gender Split
- 38% M / 62% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- SAN DIEGO
- Phone
- (858) 270-9350
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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