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Below Average

#384 of 404 private schools in NC

Montessori at Sandy Ford

Elementary School

2931 SANDY FORD RD, Newton, NC 28658

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 9 schools in Newton. Learn more

Enrollment

47

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

North Carolina elementary schools

#116 of 124

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Montessori at Sandy Ford

Montessori at Sandy Ford serves 47 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade in Newton, North Carolina. This small public elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1, supported by four full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public school while incorporating Montessori educational principles, offering families an alternative approach to traditional classroom instruction within the public school system.

With its small enrollment, students benefit from personalized attention and close-knit classroom communities throughout their elementary and middle school years. Montessori at Sandy Ford earned a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10, though it ranks #300 out of 404 North Carolina schools in the 26th percentile, suggesting the school is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. The school's Montessori approach emphasizes hands-on learning, student choice, and mixed-age classrooms that can foster independence and collaborative learning skills.

The surrounding community in the 28658 ZIP code has a median household income of $62,265 and a poverty rate of 10.8%, with 19% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Montessori at Sandy Ford is situated in a rural area near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while maintaining access to community resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 47 students, Montessori at Sandy Ford 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.

As a private school, Montessori at Sandy Ford 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.

Located in a rural area, Montessori at Sandy Ford may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Montessori at Sandy Ford compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Newton, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
This School
vs
15.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
47
This School
vs
480
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.2
This School
vs
7.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 87.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.4% vs 0%
Asian 6.4% vs 0%
Montessori at Sandy Ford Newton Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Montessori at Sandy Ford (this school) 4.2
Startown Elementary 5.9
South Newton Elementary 7.9
North Newton Elementary 9.2
Blackburn Elementary 7.6
Jacobs Fork Middle 6.3
Balls Creek Elementary 7.6

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 NC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.1:1
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 1,118
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 23%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 47
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 NC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 87.2%
Hispanic 6.4%
Asian 6.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2931 SANDY FORD RD, Newton, NC 28658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montessori at Sandy Ford may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Newton Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Newton Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Startown Elementary Newton 1.7 mi 5.9
Challenger Early College High Hickory 2.7 mi 4.9
South Newton Elementary Newton 3.3 mi 7.9
Grandview Middle Hickory 3.9 mi 5.3
Blackburn Elementary Newton 4.0 mi 7.6
North Newton Elementary Newton 3.8 mi 9.2
Newton-Conover High Newton 3.7 mi 3.9
Discovery High School Newton 3.9 mi 7.3
Saint Stephens Elementary Conover 5.1 mi 4.9
Conover Special Education Conover 4.7 mi 5.6
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover 5.0 mi 5.2
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory 6.0 mi 4.7
Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory 5.9 mi 7.3
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory 5.9 mi 6.3
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory 5.9 mi
Fred T Foard High Newton 5.5 mi 4.9
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory 6.3 mi 6.6
Newton-Conover Middle Conover 6.1 mi 7.2
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton 5.7 mi 6.3
Oakwood Elementary Hickory 6.2 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,805

Median Home Value

$192,500

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

25,681

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montessori at Sandy Ford has a median household income of $67,805. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. 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
RHEMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro, NC 4.2
STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver, NC 4.0
HOLY YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chapel Hill, NC 4.6
GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY INCORPORATED Elizabeth City, NC 3.7
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Chapel Hill, NC 4.8
BEREAN JR ACADEMY Charlotte, NC 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montessori at Sandy Ford

What grades does Montessori at Sandy Ford serve?

Montessori at Sandy Ford serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Montessori at Sandy Ford?

Montessori at Sandy Ford has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montessori at Sandy Ford?

The student-teacher ratio at Montessori at Sandy Ford is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Montessori at Sandy Ford rank in NC?

Montessori at Sandy Ford is ranked #384 out of 404 private schools in NC.

What is Montessori at Sandy Ford's MySchoolScout rating?

Montessori at Sandy Ford has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Montessori at Sandy Ford a private school?

Yes, Montessori at Sandy Ford 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 Montessori at Sandy Ford a religious school?

No, Montessori at Sandy Ford is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,322/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
47
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
CATAWBA
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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