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Very Good

#396 of 1,462 private schools in FL

Top 27% of private schools

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy

School

4141 DESOTO RD, Sarasota, FL 34235

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 9th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Sarasota

#4 of 20

public schools

Florida schools

#197 of 694

About Foundations Christian Montessori Academy

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy serves 94 students from pre-kindergarten through ninth grade in Sarasota, Florida. This regular public school combines Montessori educational principles with a Christian foundation, offering a unique approach to learning in an intimate setting with just 8 full-time equivalent teachers. The school maintains an impressive 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and meaningful relationships between educators and students.

This close-knit environment supports the Montessori philosophy of individualized learning and student-centered education. Foundations Christian Montessori Academy has earned recognition for its educational quality, receiving a 9.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #394 out of 1,462 schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Florida schools. This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its faith-based Montessori framework.

The academy spans an unusually wide grade range for a Montessori school, accommodating students from early childhood through early high school years. This extended program allows families to maintain continuity in their children's Montessori education well beyond the traditional elementary years. The school is situated in Sarasota's 34235 ZIP code area, a well-established suburban community where the median household income reaches $69,623 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 94 students, Foundations Christian Montessori Academy 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, Foundations Christian Montessori Academy 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 (2022 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$14,350
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$15,108
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.05x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
88%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$223,614

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 94 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Foundations Christian Montessori Academy compares to 42 public schools serving similar grades in Sarasota, FL

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
This School
vs
12.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
94
This School
vs
607
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 58.5% vs 0%
Black 8.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.4% vs 0%
Foundations Christian Montessori Academy Sarasota Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Foundations Christian Montessori Academy (this school) 7.1
SELBY PRESCHOOL
COMMUNITY HAVEN FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
GOCIO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.8
THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
BOOKER MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.0
MARJORIE G. KINNAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.8
DREAMERS ACADEMY 7.6
EMMA E. BOOKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.5
SARASOTA COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMIES 5.5
TUTTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.3
SARASOTA ACADEMY OF THE ARTS 5.7
BOOKER HIGH SCHOOL 3.6
MCINTOSH MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.8
FRUITVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.6
CHILDREN FIRST 7.8
SARASOTA MILITARY ACADEMY 4.9
BAY HAVEN SCHOOL OF BASICS PLUS 7.5
SARASOTA SCHOOL OF ARTS/SCIENCES 7.7
ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.4
SUNCOAST SCHOOL FOR INNOVATIVE STUDIES 5.9

Showing 20 of 42 schools. View all schools in Sarasota

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 FL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 58%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 94
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 FL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 58.5%
Two or More 26.6%
Black 8.5%
Hispanic 6.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

4141 DESOTO RD, Sarasota, FL 34235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foundations Christian Montessori Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. TARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bradenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is EMMA E. BOOKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MARJORIE G. KINNAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sarasota, see our Sarasota schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
SELBY PRESCHOOL Sarasota 1.0 mi
COMMUNITY HAVEN FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Sarasota 1.0 mi
NUR ACADEMY Sarasota 1.3 mi
GOCIO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 1.6 mi 6.8
CALVARY CHAPEL SCHOOL Sarasota 1.8 mi 6.6
ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OF SARASOTA THE Sarasota 2.3 mi 4.6
THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT Sarasota 2.4 mi
BOOKER MIDDLE SCHOOL Sarasota 2.5 mi 6.0
MARJORIE G. KINNAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 2.6 mi 7.8
SARASOTA COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMIES Sarasota 2.8 mi 5.5
DREAMERS ACADEMY Sarasota 2.7 mi 7.6
EMMA E. BOOKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 2.8 mi 8.5
CARDINAL MOONEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sarasota 3.0 mi 5.7
SARASOTA ACADEMY OF THE ARTS Sarasota 3.1 mi 5.7
TUTTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 3.1 mi 6.3
ST MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHCOL Sarasota 3.2 mi 6.8
PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT LAKEWOOD RANCH TOWN CENTER Lakewood Ranch 3.0 mi
TARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton 3.5 mi 9.5
ASCENSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sarasota 3.8 mi 5.6
MCINTOSH MIDDLE SCHOOL Sarasota 3.8 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 34235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,948

Median Home Value

$338,200

Median Rent

$1,729/mo

Population

15,114

College Educated

38%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

57.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Foundations Christian Montessori Academy has a median household income of $72,948. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,200, with a median rent of $1,729/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
CHRISTIAN CROSSINGS ACADEMY Odessa, FL 7.1
DETENTION CENTER WEST Tampa, FL 7.1
JANN MANN EDUCATIONAL CENTER Opa Locka, FL 7.1
NEVA KING COOPER EDUCATIONAL CENTER Homestead, FL 7.1
RUTH OWENS KRUSE EDUCATION CENTER Miami, FL 7.1
THE CRENSHAW SCHOOL Gotha, FL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foundations Christian Montessori Academy

What grades does Foundations Christian Montessori Academy serve?

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 9th.

How many students attend Foundations Christian Montessori Academy?

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foundations Christian Montessori Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Foundations Christian Montessori Academy is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Foundations Christian Montessori Academy rank in FL?

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy is ranked #396 out of 1,462 private schools in FL.

What is Foundations Christian Montessori Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Foundations Christian Montessori Academy a private school?

Yes, Foundations Christian Montessori Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Foundations Christian Montessori Academy a religious school?

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,165/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sarasota). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 9th
Enrollment
94
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
SARASOTA
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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