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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Mills Montessori compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in South San Francisco, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.5:1
This School
vs
21:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
45
This School
vs
390
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.3
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 57.8% vs 0%
Asian 35.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.4% vs 0%
Black 2.2% vs 0%
Mills Montessori South San Francisco Public Avg

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.

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 4.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,080
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 54%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 45
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)

White 57.8%
Asian 35.6%
Hispanic 4.4%
Black 2.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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