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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Montessori Discovery Center compares to 39 public schools serving similar grades in Salem, OR

Student-Teacher Ratio
3.8:1
This School
vs
20.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
66
This School
vs
366
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.5
This School
vs
5.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 53% vs 0%
Hispanic 10.6% vs 0%
Black 1.5% vs 0%
Montessori Discovery Center Salem Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,110
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 57%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 66
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)

White 53.0%
Two or More 22.7%
Hispanic 10.6%
Native American 10.6%
Black 1.5%
Pacific Islander 1.5%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,397/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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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