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Very Good

#63 of 318 private schools in MN

Top 20% of private schools

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori

Elementary School

13200 CENTRAL AVE NE, Blaine, MN 55434

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

63

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Blaine

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#32 of 222

About The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori is a unique school located in Blaine, Minnesota, nestled within a large suburban area. Serving students from preschool through eighth grade, this elementary school offers a warm and nurturing environment with an enrollment of 63 students. The student-teacher ratio stands at 8.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention.

While detailed test score data is not available, the school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10, placing it in the 66th percentile among Minnesota schools. This ranking suggests there is room for academic growth and development. The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori emphasizes student-centered learning and holistic education.

The school's setting in a vibrant suburban community provides students with a variety of recreational opportunities and cultural experiences. With its focus on individualized attention and comprehensive educational programs, this school offers a supportive environment for children to thrive academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 63 students, The Way of the Shepherd Catholic 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 8.6:1, The Way of the Shepherd Catholic 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, The Way of the Shepherd Catholic 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 The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Blaine, MN

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
This School
vs
15:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
63
This School
vs
799
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90.5% vs 0%
Black 6.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.2% vs 0%
The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori Blaine Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori (this school) 7.4
JOHNSVILLE ELEMENTARY 5.3
ROOSEVELT MIDDLE 5.9
NORTHPOINT ELEMENTARY 6.3
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY 5.7
Centerview Elementary 6.7
MADISON ELEMENTARY 6.9
Sunrise Elementary 8.7
University Avenue Elementary - Aero 5.3
Westwood Intermediate & Middle Sch 5.5

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 MN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,230
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 18%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 63
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 MN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.5%
Black 6.3%
Hispanic 3.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

13200 CENTRAL AVE NE, Blaine, MN 55434

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DAVINCI ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Ham Lake), with a very similar rating. Another option is CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Coon Rapids), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Blaine, see our Blaine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Blaine 0.7 mi 7.2
JOHNSVILLE ELEMENTARY Blaine 1.0 mi 5.3
ANTHONY LOUIS HOUSE Coon Rapids 1.3 mi
ROOSEVELT MIDDLE Blaine 1.3 mi 5.9
DAVINCI ACADEMY Ham Lake 1.2 mi 7.5
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF THE LAKES AT BLAINE Blaine 1.5 mi
NORTHPOINT ELEMENTARY Blaine 1.6 mi 6.3
Blaine High School Blaine 1.6 mi 5.6
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Blaine 2.5 mi 5.7
NORTHDALE MIDDLE Coon Rapids 3.0 mi 5.6
EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY Coon Rapids 3.1 mi 7.1
Centerview Elementary Blaine 3.6 mi 6.7
MADISON ELEMENTARY Blaine 3.6 mi 6.9
MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY Ham Lake 3.8 mi 6.9
SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY Coon Rapids 2.9 mi 6.9
Willows Fridley 4.2 mi
University Avenue Elementary - Aero Blaine 4.4 mi 5.3
Paladin Career and Tech High School Coon Rapids 4.2 mi 6.0
CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Coon Rapids 4.6 mi 7.3
COMPASS-BELL CENTER Coon Rapids 3.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55434 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,163

Median Home Value

$269,600

Median Rent

$1,703/mo

Population

33,133

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

81.7%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori has a median household income of $88,163. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $269,600, with a median rent of $1,703/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 MARYS SCHOOL Morris, MN 7.4
Notre Ecole Academy Golden Valley, MN 7.5
QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cloquet, MN 7.3
Spero Academy Brooklyn Park Brooklyn Park, MN 7.3
TRUE LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marshall, MN 7.3
VirtualEDU ELementary Golden Valley, MN 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori

What grades does The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori serve?

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori?

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori?

The student-teacher ratio at The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori rank in MN?

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori is ranked #63 out of 318 private schools in MN.

What is The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori has a composite rating of 7.4 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 The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori a private school?

Yes, The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori a religious school?

The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,506/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
63
Gender Split
68% M / 32% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
164 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
ANOKA
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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