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Excellent

#4 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 1% of private schools

Brookview Montessori School

Elementary School

501 ZOLLAR DR, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

3.6:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Benton Harbor

#1 of 2

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#3 of 307

About Brookview Montessori School

Brookview Montessori School serves 112 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Benton Harbor, offering a unique Montessori approach within the public school system. With an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.6 to 1 supported by 31 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive highly individualized attention that's rare in public education. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking #103 out of 460 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 78th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10.

This impressive performance reflects the school's commitment to the Montessori method, which emphasizes student-directed learning, hands-on activities, and mixed-age classrooms. Located on Zollar Drive, Brookview serves a diverse community where families face various economic challenges, with a median household income of $36,647 and a poverty rate of 33.8%. Despite these circumstances, the school's strong academic standing demonstrates its effectiveness in supporting student growth and development through its specialized educational approach.

The school operates in a small suburban setting within Berrien County, providing students with a close-knit learning environment that combines the benefits of Montessori education with the accessibility of public schooling.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 112 students, Brookview 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 3.6:1, Brookview 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, Brookview 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
$14,886
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$16,454
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.11x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
70%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.6M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 112 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Brookview Montessori School compares to 10 public schools serving similar grades in Benton Harbor, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
3.6:1
This School
vs
13.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
112
This School
vs
228
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.8
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 70.5% vs 0%
Asian 17% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.9% vs 0%
Black 2.7% vs 0%
Brookview Montessori School Benton Harbor Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Brookview Montessori School (this school) 8.8
Fair Plain East Elementary 6.9
Fair Plain Middle School 6.2
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center 7.6
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary 6.6
Discovery Enrichment Center 6.5
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy 5.4
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy 5.1
Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School 6.8
Countryside Academy Elementary 6.9
Riverside School 7.9

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 MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,255.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 47%
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 112
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 MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 70.5%
Asian 17.0%
Hispanic 8.9%
Black 2.7%
Pacific Islander 0.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

501 ZOLLAR DR, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Brookview Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hollywood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), with a very similar rating. Another option is LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), a more accessible option. Additionally, TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), a more accessible option. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 1.0 mi 6.9
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 1.4 mi 6.2
Clarke School Saint Joseph 1.6 mi 3.1
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.7 mi 5.5
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 1.7 mi 6.1
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 1.8 mi 5.8
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.8 mi 7.6
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 2.5 mi 6.7
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 2.7 mi 5.6
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 2.7 mi 7.6
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 2.4 mi 4.5
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 2.9 mi 6.6
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 2.9 mi 6.5
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 3.0 mi 5.4
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 3.2 mi 5.1
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 7.0
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 3.3 mi 6.5
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.2 mi 7.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.1 mi 7.1
Hollywood Elementary School Stevensville 3.6 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,859

Median Home Value

$140,500

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

29,796

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

58.4%

Avg Commute

18.7 min

Poverty Rate

31.7%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Brookview Montessori School has a median household income of $39,859. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,500, with a median rent of $797/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
DAYCROFT SCHOOL Ann Arbor, MI 8.8
BEVERLY HILLS ACADEMY Beverly Hills, MI 9.0
Eureka School Saint Johns, MI 9.0
Old Mission Peninsula School Traverse City, MI 9.0
ST MARTHA SCHOOL Okemos, MI 8.6
GREATER LANSING ISLAMIC SCHOOL East Lansing, MI 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brookview Montessori School

What grades does Brookview Montessori School serve?

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

How many students attend Brookview Montessori School?

Brookview Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Brookview Montessori School is 3.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Brookview Montessori School rank in MI?

Brookview Montessori School is ranked #4 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is Brookview Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Brookview Montessori School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Brookview Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Brookview 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 Brookview Montessori School a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (7,440/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
112
Gender Split
30% M / 70% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.3 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Small Suburb
County
BERRIEN
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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