Below Average
#384 of 404 private schools in NC
Montessori at Sandy Ford
Elementary School
2931 SANDY FORD RD, Newton, NC 28658
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
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Montessori at Sandy Ford compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Newton, NC
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 294-7478
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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