Excellent
#86 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 7% in state
James Simons Montessori
Elementary School · Charleston 01
741 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#8 of 31
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#53 of 680
In district
#16 of 79
Charleston 01
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About James Simons Montessori
James Simons Montessori is a public elementary school in Charleston, SC, part of the Charleston 01. The school serves approximately 371 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 92.8th percentile among SC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 29% proficiency in math and 37% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,689, where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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James Simons Montessori — Students at James Simons Montessori score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How James Simons Montessori Compares
See how James Simons Montessori performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
741 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Simons Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charleston Progressive (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Compass Collegiate Academy (rated 8.2/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Charleston Development Academy (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE CHARLESTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston | 0.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Compass Collegiate Academy Charleston | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Mitchell Elementary Charleston | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| HARVEST TIME INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Charleston | 0.4 mi | — |
| Burke High Charleston | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Sanders-Clyde Elementary Charleston | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Charleston Development Academy Charleston | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL Charleston | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Charleston Progressive Charleston | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| MASON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charleston | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Buist Academy Charleston | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| NE MILES EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Charleston | 1.6 mi | — |
| Memminger Elementary Charleston | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| CHARLESTON DAY SCHOOL Charleston | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL OF CHARLESTON Charleston | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| OAK GROVE MONTESSORI Charleston | 2.1 mi | — |
| THE COOPER SCHOOL Charleston | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,689
Median Home Value
$624,000
Median Rent
$1,658/mo
Population
22,319
College Educated
56.7%
Homeownership
35.1%
Avg Commute
16.4 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
31
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Simons Montessori has a median household income of $65,689. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $624,000, with a median rent of $1,658/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy for Teaching and Learning Chester, SC | 8.2 |
| Clearwater Elementary Clearwater, SC | 8.2 |
| Diamond Hill Elementary Abbeville, SC | 8.2 |
| Denmark-Olar Elementary Denmark, SC | 8.1 |
| Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary Summerton, SC | 8.1 |
| Gloverville Elementary Gloverville, SC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Simons Montessori
What grades does James Simons Montessori serve?
James Simons Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend James Simons Montessori?
James Simons Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Simons Montessori?
The student-teacher ratio at James Simons Montessori is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Simons Montessori rank in SC?
James Simons Montessori is ranked #86 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is James Simons Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?
James Simons Montessori has a composite rating of 8.2 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 James Simons Montessori?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Simons Montessori has 28.7% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Simons Montessori a charter school?
No, James Simons Montessori is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Simons Montessori a Title I school?
No, James Simons Montessori is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Simons Montessori?
100.0% of students at James Simons Montessori qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 83 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 39 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 77 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,389/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Charleston County
- Phone
- (843) 724-7763
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston 01- District Enrollment
- 50,400
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,635
- District Rank
- #16 of 79
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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