Very Good
#36 of 186 private schools in OR
Top 19% of private schools
Little Friends Montessori
Elementary School
770 CHEMEKETA ST NE, Salem, OR 97301
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 56 schools in Salem. Learn more
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
3.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher
3.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Salem
#5 of 13
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#18 of 111
About Little Friends Montessori
Little Friends Montessori serves 42 students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Salem, Oregon. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.8 to 1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where each child receives significant individual attention. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #89 out of 186 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Oregon schools.
This solid performance reflects the benefits of the school's personalized approach to education within the Montessori framework. Located at 770 Chemeketa Street NE, Little Friends Montessori sits in the heart of Salem's 97301 zip code area. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $53,113 and a median home value of $274,900.
About 18% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the area faces some economic challenges with a poverty rate of 20.8%. The school's small size and exceptional staffing ratios make it an appealing choice for families seeking a nurturing, close-knit educational community. Little Friends Montessori operates within Salem's mid-size city environment, offering the benefits of urban resources while maintaining its intimate, personalized educational atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 42 students, Little Friends 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 3.8:1, Little Friends 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, Little Friends 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
BetaHow Little Friends Montessori compares to 39 public schools serving similar grades in Salem, OR
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Little Friends Montessori (this school) | 7.5 |
| Bush Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Grant Community School | 6.6 |
| Englewood Elementary School | 4.8 |
| Richmond Elementary School | 6.7 |
| Highland Elementary School | 5.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School | 4.3 |
| Hoover Elementary School | 6.6 |
| Eagle Charter School | 8.3 |
| Oregon School for the Deaf | 7.3 |
| Myers Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Harritt Elementary School | 4.2 |
| Candalaria Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Washington Elementary School | 4.0 |
| Chapman Hill Elementary School | 5.0 |
| Morningside Elementary School | 7.2 |
| Salem Heights Elementary School | 3.9 |
| Kalapuya Elementary School | 4.8 |
| Swegle Elementary School | 5.3 |
| Four Corners Elementary School | 5.2 |
| Auburn Elementary School | 4.2 |
Showing 20 of 39 schools. View all schools in Salem
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 OR.
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 OR
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
770 CHEMEKETA ST NE, Salem, OR 97301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Little Friends Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eagle Charter School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MONTESSORI DISCOVERY CENTER (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Salem | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Howard Street Charter Salem | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| CAPITAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem | 0.4 mi | — |
| Parrish Middle School Salem | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Bush Elementary School Salem | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Grant Community School Salem | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| North Salem High School Salem | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| South Salem High School Salem | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| MONTESSORI DISCOVERY CENTER Salem | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Highland Elementary School Salem | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Englewood Elementary School Salem | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Richmond Elementary School Salem | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Salem | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| McKinley Elementary School Salem | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School Salem | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Oregon School for the Deaf Salem | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Eagle Charter School Salem | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Walker Middle School Salem | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Morningside Elementary School Salem | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,497
Median Home Value
$310,800
Median Rent
$1,197/mo
Population
56,274
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
43.2%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Little Friends Montessori has a median household income of $57,497. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,800, with a median rent of $1,197/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Lourdes School Scio, OR | 7.4 |
| PUDDLETOWN SCHOOL Portland, OR | 7.3 |
| The Cannon Beach Academy Cannon Beach, OR | 7.9 |
| GOODTIME CHINESE SCHOOL Portland, OR | 7.0 |
| THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF BEND Bend, OR | 7.0 |
| HARMONY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Portland, OR | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Little Friends Montessori
What grades does Little Friends Montessori serve?
Little Friends Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Little Friends Montessori?
Little Friends Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Little Friends Montessori?
The student-teacher ratio at Little Friends Montessori is 3.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Little Friends Montessori rank in OR?
Little Friends Montessori is ranked #36 out of 186 private schools in OR.
What is Little Friends Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?
Little Friends Montessori has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Little Friends Montessori a private school?
Yes, Little Friends Montessori 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 Little Friends Montessori a religious school?
No, Little Friends Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 42
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 10 hours
- Days Per Year
- 252 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- MARION
- Phone
- (503) 391-7441
- 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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