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Average

#179 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 39% of private schools

Lakes Area Montessori

Elementary School

8605 RICHARDSON RD, Walled Lake, MI 48390

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

32

Student-Teacher

6.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Walled Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#107 of 307

About Lakes Area Montessori

Lakes Area Montessori serves 32 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Walled Lake, Michigan. This small public elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.4 to 1 with five full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized learning approaches that align with Montessori educational philosophy. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #223 out of 460 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 52nd percentile among Michigan schools.

This intimate learning environment provides students with opportunities for close mentorship and tailored educational experiences that can be particularly beneficial for young learners developing foundational academic and social skills. Lakes Area Montessori draws families from a well-educated community where 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects stable family demographics with a median household income of $84,172 and median home values around $266,300, while maintaining a low poverty rate of 6.9%.

The school is situated in Walled Lake's large suburban setting, providing families with access to community amenities and resources while maintaining the close-knit atmosphere that characterizes this distinctive Montessori learning environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 32 students, Lakes Area Montessori 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 6.4:1, Lakes Area Montessori 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, Lakes Area Montessori 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Lakes Area Montessori compares to the 2 public schools in Walled Lake, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.4:1
This School
vs
16.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
32
This School
vs
313
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 25% vs 0%
Asian 9.4% vs 0%
Black 3.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.1% vs 0%
Lakes Area Montessori Walled Lake Public Avg

All Schools in Walled Lake

School Rating
Lakes Area Montessori (this school) 6.8
Mary Helen Guest Elementary School 5.7
Walled Lake Elementary School 6.4

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 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 57%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 32
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)

Two or More 59.4%
White 25.0%
Asian 9.4%
Black 3.1%
Hispanic 3.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

8605 RICHARDSON RD, Walled Lake, MI 48390

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lakes Area Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pleasant Lake Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby West Bloomfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hickory Woods Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Novi), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakley Park Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Commerce Township), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Walled Lake, see our Walled Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Oakley Park Elementary School Commerce Township 0.7 mi 8.8
Clifford H Smart Middle School Commerce Township 1.1 mi 5.4
Walled Lake Central High School Commerce Township 1.3 mi 8.4
Keith Elementary School West Bloomfield 1.5 mi 8.0
Walnut Creek Middle School West Bloomfield 1.8 mi 4.9
Mary Helen Guest Elementary School Walled Lake 2.2 mi 5.7
ST MATTHEW LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walled Lake 2.2 mi 6.4
Pleasant Lake Elementary School West Bloomfield 2.1 mi 9.1
Commerce Elementary School Commerce Township 2.2 mi 6.4
Glengary Elementary School Commerce Township 2.7 mi 8.4
Scotch Elementary School West Bloomfield 2.7 mi 5.0
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL White Lake 3.7 mi 4.0
ST WILLIAM SCHOOL Walled Lake 3.4 mi 6.9
Walled Lake Northern High School Commerce Twp 3.3 mi 8.2
SARAH & IRVING PITT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER West Bloomfield 3.4 mi
FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY OF METRO DETROIT West Bloomfield 3.4 mi 6.7
Project Search West Bloomfield 3.5 mi
Hickory Woods Elementary School Novi 4.0 mi 9.1
Dublin Elementary White Lake 4.1 mi 8.0
THE SUSAN AND RABBI HAROLD LOSS ECC West Bloomfield 3.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48390 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,411

Median Home Value

$287,900

Median Rent

$1,575/mo

Population

24,118

College Educated

42.6%

Homeownership

73.1%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lakes Area Montessori has a median household income of $89,411. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,900, with a median rent of $1,575/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. 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
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Adrian, MI 6.8
DIVINE PROVIDENCE ACADEMY AT ST. JOSEPH Conklin, MI 6.6
HOLY TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wyoming, MI 7.0
JAPHET SCHOOL Clawson, MI 7.0
Crawford School Kalkaska, MI 6.4
ROOTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Plymouth, MI 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lakes Area Montessori

What grades does Lakes Area Montessori serve?

Lakes Area Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lakes Area Montessori?

Lakes Area Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakes Area Montessori?

The student-teacher ratio at Lakes Area Montessori is 6.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Lakes Area Montessori rank in MI?

Lakes Area Montessori is ranked #179 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is Lakes Area Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?

Lakes Area Montessori has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Lakes Area Montessori a private school?

Yes, Lakes Area Montessori 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 Lakes Area Montessori a religious school?

No, Lakes Area Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (942/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
32
Gender Split
69% M / 31% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
OAKLAND
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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