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#1185 of 1,462 private schools in FL

South Walton Montessori Academy

Elementary School

101 EDEN GARDENS RD, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Santa Rosa Beach

#3 of 3

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#502 of 612

About South Walton Montessori Academy

South Walton Montessori Academy serves just 46 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Santa Rosa Beach, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkable 9.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio. This small regular public school employs 5 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for each child following Montessori educational principles. The school has earned impressive recognition, receiving a 9.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #276 out of 1,462 schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Florida schools.

This outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its specialized Montessori framework. Families choosing South Walton Montessori Academy are part of an affluent and well-educated community in the 32459 ZIP code area. The neighborhood boasts a median household income of $99,081 and median home values of $499,900, with 47% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 6.9% among its 20,558 residents. Located on Eden Gardens Road, the school operates in a rural setting that complements the Montessori philosophy of connecting children with nature and providing a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, South Walton 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, South Walton Montessori Academy 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, South Walton 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 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$19,947
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$18,571
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.93x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
94%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 46 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How South Walton Montessori Academy compares to the 5 public schools in Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
This School
vs
16.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
46
This School
vs
859
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
7.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97.8% vs 0%
Asian 2.2% vs 0%
South Walton Montessori Academy Santa Rosa Beach Public Avg

All Schools in Santa Rosa Beach

School Rating
South Walton Montessori Academy (this school) 5.2
DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.1
EMERALD COAST MIDDLE SCHOOL 7.3
SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL 7.1
SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL 6.7
VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.5

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)
A- 7.7 / 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)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,190
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 46
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 97.8%
Asian 2.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

101 EDEN GARDENS RD, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Walton Montessori Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores notably higher. Another option is VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 8.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Rosa Beach, see our Santa Rosa Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 0.2 mi 8.1
BAY SCHOOL Santa Rosa 0.2 mi 7.4
EMERALD COAST MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 0.8 mi 7.3
SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 3.6 mi 7.1
SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 3.8 mi 6.7
SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport 5.3 mi
COMPASS ROSE ACADEMY INC Santa Rosa Beach 5.4 mi 7.3
THE TREE HOUSE EPISCOPAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 6.5 mi
LES PETITS PREP SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 6.9 mi
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport 9.1 mi 8.1
FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport 9.6 mi 8.6
OHANA INSTITUTE Inlet Beach 8.9 mi 6.1
VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 8.6 mi 8.5
WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport 10.9 mi
FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport 12.0 mi 4.8
SOUTH WALTON ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 11.2 mi 5.6
GATEWAY ACADEMY Miramar Beach 14.1 mi 5.9
WEST BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City Beach 16.4 mi 5.3
DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Destin 18.5 mi 6.9
SURFSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City Beach 19.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,067

Median Home Value

$613,100

Median Rent

$2,165/mo

Population

22,104

College Educated

48.2%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

46.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Walton Montessori Academy has a median household income of $101,067. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,100, with a median rent of $2,165/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% 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
EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMY FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED LEARNERS Port St. Lucie, FL 5.2
JES MEMORIAL SDA SCHOOL Fort Pierce, FL 5.2
KIDS FOR KIDS ACADEMY Miami, FL 5.2
LITTLE FLOWER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilton Manors, FL 5.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF ORLANDO Orlando, FL 5.2
MT CALVARY SDA JUNIOR ACADEMY Tampa, FL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Walton Montessori Academy

What grades does South Walton Montessori Academy serve?

South Walton Montessori Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend South Walton Montessori Academy?

South Walton Montessori Academy has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Walton Montessori Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at South Walton Montessori Academy 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 South Walton Montessori Academy rank in FL?

South Walton Montessori Academy is ranked #1185 out of 1,462 private schools in FL.

What is South Walton Montessori Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

South Walton Montessori Academy has a composite rating of 5.2 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 South Walton Montessori Academy a private school?

Yes, South Walton Montessori Academy 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 South Walton Montessori Academy a religious school?

No, South Walton Montessori Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
46
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
WALTON
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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