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Below Average

#1590 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Montessori Childrens School

Elementary School

4200 S HIGUERA ST, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 13 schools in San Luis Obispo. Learn more

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In San Luis Obispo

#3 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#972 of 1,102

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Montessori Childrens School

Montessori Childrens School serves 54 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in San Luis Obispo, California. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.2 to 1 with six full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention and instruction. The school has earned a strong 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #779 out of 1,790 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 56th percentile among California schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in an intimate learning environment. The school's compact size creates a close-knit community where students can develop strong relationships with both peers and teachers. With only 54 students across seven grade levels, children experience a truly personalized educational experience that follows the Montessori philosophy of child-centered learning.

Located on South Higuera Street, the school serves families in a well-educated community where 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects San Luis Obispo's character as a small city, with a median household income of $89,962 and strong community values that support educational excellence.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Montessori Childrens 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Montessori Childrens School 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, Montessori Childrens 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Montessori Childrens School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in San Luis Obispo, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
This School
vs
19.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
54
This School
vs
257
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 83.3% vs 0%
Asian 11.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.7% vs 0%
Montessori Childrens School San Luis Obispo Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Montessori Childrens School (this school) 4.9
C L Smith Elementary 9.0
Hawthorne Elementary 8.3
Sinsheimer Elementary 6.9
PEEP - PREPARE
Los Ranchos Elementary 5.9
Pacheco Elementary 7.8
Bishop's Peak Elementary 5.3
Teach Elementary 7.4
Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter 6.0
San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court
San Luis County Special Education
San Luis Obispo County Community 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)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.2:1
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)
C+ 3.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 29%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 54
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 83.3%
Asian 11.1%
Hispanic 3.7%
Two or More 1.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

4200 S HIGUERA ST, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montessori Childrens School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C L Smith Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hawthorne Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pacheco Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Luis Obispo, see our San Luis Obispo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Pacific Beach High San Luis Obispo 1.0 mi 4.7
C L Smith Elementary San Luis Obispo 1.5 mi 9.0
Laguna Middle San Luis Obispo 1.8 mi 7.1
Hawthorne Elementary San Luis Obispo 2.2 mi 8.3
Lindamood-Bell Academy San Luis Obispo 2.4 mi
MISSION COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 2.7 mi 6.3
Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School San Luis Obispo 2.8 mi
Old Mission School San Luis Obispo 2.8 mi
OLD MISSION SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 2.8 mi 4.8
Sinsheimer Elementary San Luis Obispo 2.6 mi 6.9
PEEP - PREPARE San Luis Obispo 3.1 mi
San Luis Obispo High San Luis Obispo 3.3 mi 7.3
CHRIST CLASSICAL SCHOOL San Luis Obispo 3.5 mi 6.1
Pacheco Elementary San Luis Obispo 3.8 mi 7.8
Bishop's Peak Elementary San Luis Obispo 3.8 mi 5.3
ORFALEA FAMILY & ASI CHILDREN'S CENTER RM # 133 San Luis Obispo 3.9 mi
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy San Luis Obispo 3.9 mi
Teach Elementary San Luis Obispo 3.9 mi 7.4
Los Ranchos Elementary San Luis Obispo 3.5 mi 5.9
Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter San Luis Obispo 4.0 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,386

Median Home Value

$943,500

Median Rent

$1,859/mo

Population

29,995

College Educated

56.8%

Homeownership

47.4%

Avg Commute

17 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montessori Childrens School has a median household income of $95,386. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $943,500, with a median rent of $1,859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
ARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY San Gabriel, CA 4.9
KINDERLAND MONTESSORI Chula Vista, CA 4.9
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Laguna Niguel, CA 4.9
NURTURY THE Sherman Oaks, CA 4.9
RAMONA LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Ramona, CA 4.9
REDEEMER BY THE SEA LUTHERAN KINDERGARTEN&PRESCHL Carlsbad, CA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montessori Childrens School

What grades does Montessori Childrens School serve?

Montessori Childrens School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Montessori Childrens School?

Montessori Childrens School has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montessori Childrens School?

The student-teacher ratio at Montessori Childrens School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Montessori Childrens School rank in CA?

Montessori Childrens School is ranked #1590 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Montessori Childrens School's MySchoolScout rating?

Montessori Childrens School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Montessori Childrens School a private school?

Yes, Montessori Childrens 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 Montessori Childrens School a religious school?

No, Montessori Childrens School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,097/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Luis Obispo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
54
Gender Split
74% M / 26% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
SAN LUIS OBISPO
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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