Average
#885 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 49% of private schools
Mills Montessori
Elementary School
1400 HILLSIDE BLVD, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in South San Francisco. Learn more
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
4.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
4.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In South San Francisco
#2 of 5
public schools
California elementary schools
#516 of 1,102
About Mills Montessori
Mills Montessori serves 45 students from pre-kindergarten through second grade in South San Francisco, offering an intimate early childhood education experience with an exceptional 4.5:1 student-teacher ratio. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public elementary school provides individualized attention that supports the Montessori educational philosophy during these crucial formative years. The school has earned recognition for its quality, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #478 out of 1,790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among California schools.
This strong performance reflects the dedication to early childhood development that characterizes the Montessori approach. Located at 1400 Hillside Boulevard, Mills Montessori serves families in an affluent community where the median household income reaches $126,916 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 6.7% and median home values of over $1.1 million reflect the area's economic stability and educational investment.
Mills Montessori operates within South San Francisco, a small city setting that combines suburban family life with proximity to the broader Bay Area's educational and cultural resources.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 45 students, Mills 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 4.5:1, Mills 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, Mills 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
- $29,150
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $31,644
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.09x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 100%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $1.2M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 45 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Mills Montessori compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in South San Francisco, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mills Montessori (this school) | 6.3 |
| Sunshine Gardens Elementary | 5.5 |
| Spruce Elementary | 3.8 |
| Martin Elementary | 6.0 |
| Los Cerritos Elementary | 5.1 |
| Buri Buri Elementary | 8.4 |
| Ponderosa Elementary | 7.4 |
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
1400 HILLSIDE BLVD, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mills Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brisbane Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Brisbane), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buri Buri Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bayshore (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Daly City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South San Francisco, see our South San Francisco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY South San Francisco | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Parkway Heights Middle South San Francisco | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Sunshine Gardens Elementary South San Francisco | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Building Kidz South San Francisco | 0.8 mi | — |
| Spruce Elementary South San Francisco | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| SHILOH UNITED SCHOOL South San Francisco | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Martin Elementary South San Francisco | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Los Cerritos Elementary South San Francisco | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| El Camino High South San Francisco | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| South San Francisco High South San Francisco | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Baden High (Continuation) South San Francisco | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Lipman Middle Brisbane | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| St. Veronica Catholic School South San Francisco | 1.6 mi | — |
| ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL South San Francisco | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Buri Buri Elementary South San Francisco | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Ponderosa Elementary South San Francisco | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Alta Loma Middle South San Francisco | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Brisbane Elementary Brisbane | 1.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Bayshore Daly City | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,966
Median Home Value
$1,159,500
Median Rent
$2,840/mo
Population
65,036
College Educated
40.1%
Homeownership
60.8%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mills Montessori has a median household income of $135,966. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,159,500, with a median rent of $2,840/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| EL RANCHO SCHOOL Carmichael, CA | 6.3 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Downey, CA | 6.3 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ELEMENTARY Ramona, CA | 6.3 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF HAYWARD Hayward, CA | 6.3 |
| MORGAN ACADEMY Corona, CA | 6.3 |
| SAN FRANCISCO PACIFIC ACADEMY San Francisco, CA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mills Montessori
What grades does Mills Montessori serve?
Mills Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend Mills Montessori?
Mills Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mills Montessori?
The student-teacher ratio at Mills Montessori is 4.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Mills Montessori rank in CA?
Mills Montessori is ranked #885 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Mills Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?
Mills Montessori has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Mills Montessori a private school?
Yes, Mills 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 Mills Montessori a religious school?
No, Mills Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,875/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South San Francisco). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 45
- Gender Split
- 60% M / 40% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SAN MATEO
- Phone
- (650) 616-9000
- 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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.