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Very Good

#53 of 433 private schools in GA

Top 12% of private schools

Athens Montessori School

Elementary School

3145 BARNETT SHOALS RD, Athens, GA 30605

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 21 schools in Athens. Learn more

Enrollment

138

Student-Teacher

7.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Athens

#2 of 4

public schools

Georgia elementary schools

#21 of 147

About Athens Montessori School

Athens Montessori School serves 138 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Athens, Georgia, offering a distinctive Montessori approach within the public school system. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 7.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention that aligns well with Montessori educational principles. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking 79th out of 433 Georgia elementary schools and achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to the Montessori method, which emphasizes hands-on learning, mixed-age classrooms, and student-directed activities. Located on Barnett Shoals Road, Athens Montessori School serves families in a diverse community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a strong value placed on education. The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 30605 has a median household income of $46,701 and median home values of $237,200, representing a mix of economic backgrounds that enriches the school's community.

As part of Athens' mid-size city environment, the school benefits from the cultural and educational resources of a university town while maintaining a close-knit school community focused on individualized learning and student development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 138 students, Athens Montessori 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 7.8:1, Athens Montessori 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, Athens Montessori 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$12,458
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$14,157
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.14x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
70%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 138 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Athens Montessori School compares to 17 public schools serving similar grades in Athens, GA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
This School
vs
10.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
138
This School
vs
528
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.6
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84.1% vs 0%
Asian 4.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.6% vs 0%
Black 2.2% vs 0%
Athens Montessori School Athens Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Athens Montessori School (this school) 7.6
Barnett Shoals Elementary School 7.8
Whit Davis Road Elementary School 6.3
Gaines Elementary School 6.9
Hilsman Middle School 6.7
Barrow Elementary School 8.1
Clarke Middle School 8.1
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School 5.3
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School 4.2
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School 7.2
Fowler Drive Elementary School 8.6
Coile Middle School 5.5
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School 6.3
Timothy Elementary School 8.2
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary 7.9
Whitehead Road Elementary School 6.4
Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School 7.5
South Jackson Elementary School 7.5

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 GA.

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 7.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,350
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.8 / 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)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 138
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 GA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.1%
Two or More 5.8%
Asian 4.3%
Hispanic 3.6%
Black 2.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3145 BARNETT SHOALS RD, Athens, GA 30605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Athens Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fowler Drive Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Winterville Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Winterville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Colham Ferry Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Watkinsville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Barnett Shoals Elementary School Athens 0.2 mi 7.8
Cedar Shoals High School Athens 1.3 mi 5.4
Whit Davis Road Elementary School Athens 1.1 mi 6.3
Gaines Elementary School Athens 1.7 mi 6.9
Hilsman Middle School Athens 1.8 mi 6.7
Barrow Elementary School Athens 3.6 mi 8.1
ATHENS ACADEMY Athens 3.7 mi 6.7
DOWNTOWN ACADEMY Athens 4.4 mi 5.8
Clarke Central High School Athens 4.4 mi 6.9
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School Athens 4.9 mi 4.2
Classic City High School Athens 4.8 mi 5.2
Clarke Middle School Athens 4.8 mi 8.1
Winterville Elementary School Winterville 5.2 mi 8.3
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens 4.9 mi 5.3
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School Athens 5.3 mi 7.2
Fowler Drive Elementary School Athens 6.0 mi 8.6
Coile Middle School Athens 6.2 mi 5.5
Colham Ferry Elementary School Watkinsville 5.7 mi 8.3
Foothills Regional High School Athens 6.5 mi 5.7
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School Athens 6.3 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,188

Median Home Value

$279,200

Median Rent

$1,104/mo

Population

41,788

College Educated

52.6%

Homeownership

33.9%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

28.1%

Median Age

27.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Athens Montessori School has a median household income of $48,188. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,200, with a median rent of $1,104/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
ANNUNCIATION DAY SCHOOL Atlanta, GA 7.6
WYNNBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Columbus, GA 7.5
Willacoochee Elementary School Willachochee, GA 7.5
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Valdosta, GA 7.7
OUR LADY OF VICTORY CATH. SCHOOL Tyrone, GA 7.4
Fourth District Elementary School Surrency, GA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Athens Montessori School

What grades does Athens Montessori School serve?

Athens Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Athens Montessori School?

Athens Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 138 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Athens Montessori School is 7.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Athens Montessori School rank in GA?

Athens Montessori School is ranked #53 out of 433 private schools in GA.

What is Athens Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Athens Montessori School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Athens Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Athens Montessori 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 Athens Montessori School a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
138
Gender Split
62% M / 38% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
CLARKE
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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