Average
#1185 of 1,462 private schools in FL
South Walton Montessori Academy
Elementary School
101 EDEN GARDENS RD, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
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
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow South Walton Montessori Academy compares to the 5 public schools in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Student Demographics
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.
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 FL
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
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (850) 231-5955
- 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 Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Miami, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Orlando, FL — 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.