Very Good
#35 of 186 private schools in OR
Top 18% of private schools
Montessori Discovery Center
Elementary School
1055 ELECTRIC AVE SE, Salem, OR 97302
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 56 schools in Salem. Learn more
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher
3.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher
3.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Salem
#4 of 13
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#17 of 111
About Montessori Discovery Center
Montessori Discovery Center serves 66 students from pre-kindergarten through kindergarten in Salem, Oregon, offering a unique early childhood education experience within the public school system. With an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.8:1 and 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides intensive individualized attention that aligns with the Montessori philosophy of child-centered learning. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #74 out of 186 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 61st percentile among Oregon schools.
This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to fostering young learners during these crucial formative years. Montessori Discovery Center draws families from the surrounding 97302 zip code area, where the median household income is $80,439 and 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.2%, with median home values around $381,700, indicating a stable, education-focused community.
Located on Electric Avenue SE, the school serves as an accessible early learning option for families in Salem's mid-size city environment, providing the intimate, nurturing atmosphere that characterizes quality Montessori education within the public school framework.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 66 students, Montessori Discovery 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 3.8:1, Montessori Discovery 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, Montessori Discovery 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Montessori Discovery Center compares to 39 public schools serving similar grades in Salem, OR
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Montessori Discovery Center (this school) | 7.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School | 4.3 |
| Bush Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Morningside Elementary School | 7.2 |
| Richmond Elementary School | 6.7 |
| Candalaria Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Salem Heights Elementary School | 3.9 |
| Wright Elementary School | 4.3 |
| Englewood Elementary School | 4.8 |
| Grant Community School | 6.6 |
| Hoover Elementary School | 6.6 |
| Liberty Elementary School | 5.9 |
| Highland Elementary School | 5.8 |
| Myers Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Four Corners Elementary School | 5.2 |
| Sumpter Elementary School | 4.9 |
| Schirle Elementary School | 7.6 |
| Eagle Charter School | 8.3 |
| Chapman Hill Elementary School | 5.0 |
| Pringle Elementary School | 3.2 |
| Oregon School for the Deaf | 7.3 |
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
1055 ELECTRIC AVE SE, Salem, OR 97302
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Montessori Discovery Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Morningside Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Salem High School Salem | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School Salem | 0.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Bush Elementary School Salem | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Morningside Elementary School Salem | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem | 1.3 mi | — |
| LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI Salem | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Salem | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Salem Heights Elementary School Salem | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Leslie Middle School Salem | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Richmond Elementary School Salem | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Howard Street Charter Salem | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| CAPITAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Candalaria Elementary School Salem | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Parrish Middle School Salem | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| North Salem High School Salem | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Wright Elementary School Salem | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Salem | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Grant Community School Salem | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| BUTTERCUP HILL Salem | 2.1 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Salem | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,697
Median Home Value
$415,200
Median Rent
$1,230/mo
Population
40,954
College Educated
42.5%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Montessori Discovery Center has a median household income of $83,697. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $415,200, with a median rent of $1,230/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI Salem, OR | 7.5 |
| PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaverton, OR | 7.5 |
| Lourdes School Scio, OR | 7.4 |
| Pratum Elementary School Salem, OR | 7.4 |
| TUCKER MAXON SCHOOL Portland, OR | 7.4 |
| PUDDLETOWN SCHOOL Portland, OR | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Montessori Discovery Center
What grades does Montessori Discovery Center serve?
Montessori Discovery Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.
How many students attend Montessori Discovery Center?
Montessori Discovery Center has an enrollment of approximately 66 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Montessori Discovery Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Montessori Discovery Center 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 Montessori Discovery Center rank in OR?
Montessori Discovery Center is ranked #35 out of 186 private schools in OR.
What is Montessori Discovery Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Montessori Discovery Center 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 Montessori Discovery Center a private school?
Yes, Montessori Discovery 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 Montessori Discovery Center a religious school?
No, Montessori Discovery Center is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Kindergarten
- Enrollment
- 66
- Gender Split
- 42% M / 58% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 185 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- MARION
- Phone
- (503) 371-3415
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.