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Excellent

#4 of 713 private schools in OH

Top 1% of private schools

Columbus Montessori Education Center

Elementary School

979 S JAMES RD, Columbus, OH 43227

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 214 schools in Columbus. Learn more

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

6.7:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Columbus

#2 of 38

public schools

Ohio elementary schools

#1 of 409

About Columbus Montessori Education Center

Columbus Montessori Education Center serves 132 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Columbus, offering a specialized Montessori approach within the public school system. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, allowing for the individualized attention that's central to Montessori philosophy. The school has earned a solid 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #349 out of 713 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 51st percentile among Ohio schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education through the distinctive Montessori method, which emphasizes hands-on learning and student-directed activity. Located at 979 S James Road, Columbus Montessori Education Center serves a diverse community where families work with varying economic circumstances. The surrounding 43227 zip code area has a median household income of $42,596 and median home values of $118,900, creating an accessible neighborhood for many families.

With 16% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the community represents a mix of educational backgrounds. The school operates within Columbus's large urban environment, providing families with a unique public Montessori option in Franklin County's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 132 students, Columbus Montessori Education Center 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 6.7:1, Columbus Montessori Education Center 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, Columbus Montessori Education Center 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
$31,495
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$34,781
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.10x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
76%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$4.0M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 132 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Columbus Montessori Education Center compares to 180 public schools serving similar grades in Columbus, OH

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
This School
vs
18.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
132
This School
vs
369
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
9.2
This School
vs
5.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 46.2% vs 0%
Black 34.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.1% vs 0%
Asian 3% vs 0%
Columbus Montessori Education Center Columbus Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Columbus Montessori Education Center (this school) 9.2
Johnson Park Middle School 6.8
Fairmoor Elementary School 5.2
Whitehall Preparatory and Fitness Academy 4.8
Montrose Elementary School 9.1
Berwick Alternative K-8 School 5.0
Scottwood Elementary School 3.1
BCS Online School
Bexley Middle School 7.9
Cassingham Elementary School 8.3
Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys 6.9
Renaissance Academy dba Bessie Sherrod Price Preparatory Aca 6.7
Broadleigh Elementary School 6.3
Fairwood Alternative Elementary School 4.1
Maryland Elementary School 9.3
Easthaven Elementary School 4.9
Columbus Africentric Early College Middle School 5.3
Columbus Africentric Early College ES 3.8
South Scioto Academy 5.0
Leawood Elementary School 5.3
Ohio Achievement Charter Schools Inc. dba Millennium Commun 3.2

Showing 20 of 180 schools. View all schools in Columbus

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 OH.

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 6.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 65%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 132
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 OH

Test Scores OH OST (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
41.2%
ELA Proficiency 61.8%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 4 test records from OH state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 46.2%
Black 34.1%
Two or More 10.6%
Hispanic 6.1%
Asian 3.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

979 S JAMES RD, Columbus, OH 43227

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Montessori Education Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montrose Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cassingham Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ALL SAINTS ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Mason Run High School Columbus 0.1 mi 4.9
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Columbus 0.4 mi 6.5
Johnson Park Middle School Columbus 0.4 mi 6.8
BISHOP HARTLEY HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 0.5 mi 7.0
Fairmoor Elementary School Columbus 0.8 mi 5.2
Berwick Alternative K-8 School Columbus 0.9 mi 5.0
Whitehall Preparatory and Fitness Academy Columbus 0.8 mi 4.8
Montrose Elementary School Columbus 0.8 mi 9.1
Eastmoor Academy Columbus 1.0 mi 5.4
Scottwood Elementary School Columbus 1.0 mi 3.1
BCS Online School Columbus 1.1 mi
Bexley High School Columbus 1.1 mi 9.3
MATER DEI ACADEMY Columbus 1.0 mi
Bexley Middle School Columbus 1.1 mi 7.9
Cassingham Elementary School Columbus 1.2 mi 8.3
Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys Columbus 1.4 mi 6.9
Broadleigh Elementary School Columbus 1.7 mi 6.3
HELPING HANDS CENTER DBA BRIDGEWAY ACADEMY Columbus 1.5 mi 8.4
Beechwood Elementary School Whitehall 1.5 mi 4.1
COLUMBUS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Columbus 1.6 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 43227 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,314

Median Home Value

$134,300

Median Rent

$1,105/mo

Population

25,282

College Educated

14.5%

Homeownership

51.3%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbus Montessori Education Center has a median household income of $45,314. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,300, with a median rent of $1,105/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Fort Jennings Elementary School Fort Jennings, OH 9.2
Holgate Elementary School Holgate, OH 9.2
DAYTON ISLAMIC SCHOOL Beavercreek, OH 9.1
ST JOSEPH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbus, OH 9.1
BETHANY SCHOOL Cincinnati, OH 8.8
JULIE BILLIART SCHOOL Lyndhurst, OH 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Montessori Education Center

What grades does Columbus Montessori Education Center serve?

Columbus Montessori Education Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Columbus Montessori Education Center?

Columbus Montessori Education Center has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Montessori Education Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Montessori Education Center is 6.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Columbus Montessori Education Center rank in OH?

Columbus Montessori Education Center is ranked #4 out of 713 private schools in OH.

What is Columbus Montessori Education Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Montessori Education Center has a composite rating of 9.2 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.

What are the test scores at Columbus Montessori Education Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Montessori Education Center has 42.8% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbus Montessori Education Center a private school?

Yes, Columbus Montessori Education Center 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 Columbus Montessori Education Center a religious school?

No, Columbus Montessori Education Center is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,090/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
132
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large City
County
FRANKLIN
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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