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Below Average

#34 of 38 private schools in ND

Dakota Montessori School

Elementary School

1134 WESTRAC DR S, Fargo, ND 58103

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 26 schools in Fargo. Learn more

Enrollment

50

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Fargo

#6 of 6

public schools

North Dakota elementary schools

#20 of 21

About Dakota Montessori School

Dakota Montessori School is a welcoming elementary school located in Fargo, North Dakota. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 50 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers on staff. With its small class sizes, Dakota Montessori School offers personalized attention to each student's learning needs.

While specific test score data is not available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and academic score of 5.3 indicate that there is room for academic growth at Dakota Montessori School. The school ranks 42nd percentile among North Dakota schools, suggesting that it focuses on student development and individualized education. Dakota Montessori School is situated in the heart of a mid-size city, providing students with access to various community resources and cultural opportunities.

This setting offers a vibrant environment for learning and growth beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 50 students, Dakota 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.

As a private school, Dakota 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
$31,329
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$32,242
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.03x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
89%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.7M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 50 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Dakota Montessori School compares to 23 public schools serving similar grades in Fargo, ND

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
This School
vs
11.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
50
This School
vs
429
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.6
This School
vs
5.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 98% vs 0%
Black 2% vs 0%
Dakota Montessori School Fargo Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Dakota Montessori School (this school) 4.6
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3.9
CARL BEN EIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.2
EXPLORER ACADEMY
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.9
MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.1
FARGO K-8 VIRTUAL ACADEMY
CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.4
WILLOW PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.3
ED CLAPP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.7
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.7
HORACE MANN ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.0
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL 5.8
EAGLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.6
DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.5
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.2
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3.6
KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.1
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.1
MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.2
OSGOOD ELEM SCHOOL 5.5

Showing 20 of 23 schools. View all schools in Fargo

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 ND.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 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)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 50
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 ND

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 98.0%
Black 2.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1134 WESTRAC DR S, Fargo, ND 58103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dakota Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EAGLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fargo, see our Fargo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL Fargo 1.0 mi 8.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.1 mi 3.9
CARL BEN EIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo 1.1 mi 6.2
MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.7 mi 5.1
EXPLORER ACADEMY Fargo 1.3 mi
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.3 mi 5.9
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL Fargo 1.4 mi 6.9
DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL Fargo 1.4 mi 6.5
ED CLAPP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 2.1 mi 4.7
OAK GROVE LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 2.3 mi 4.9
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fargo 1.6 mi 6.2
FARGO K-8 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fargo 1.9 mi
FARGO 9-12 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fargo 1.9 mi 5.7
CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTER Fargo 2.5 mi
CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.9 mi 7.4
WILLOW PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.9 mi 4.3
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 2.1 mi 5.7
EAGLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 2.9 mi 7.6
DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo 3.2 mi 6.5
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 3.3 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,699

Median Home Value

$239,200

Median Rent

$831/mo

Population

48,520

College Educated

36.8%

Homeownership

41.8%

Avg Commute

15.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

35.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dakota Montessori School has a median household income of $57,699. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $239,200, with a median rent of $831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
BOWBELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowbells, ND 4.7
FAIRMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmount, ND 4.8
LITTLE HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Anthony, ND 4.3
MAPLE RIVER COLONY SCHOOL Ellendale, ND 5.1
MENOKEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Menoken, ND 5.1
WING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wing, ND 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dakota Montessori School

What grades does Dakota Montessori School serve?

Dakota Montessori School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Dakota Montessori School?

Dakota Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dakota Montessori School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Dakota Montessori School rank in ND?

Dakota Montessori School is ranked #34 out of 38 private schools in ND.

What is Dakota Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dakota Montessori School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Dakota Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Dakota 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 Dakota Montessori School a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,206/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
50
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
CASS
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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