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Very Good

#42 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 21% of private schools

May River Montessori School

Elementary School

60 CALHOUN ST, Bluffton, SC 29910

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 10 schools in Bluffton. Learn more

Enrollment

104

Student-Teacher

4.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Carolina elementary schools

#15 of 65

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About May River Montessori School

May River Montessori School serves 104 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Bluffton, South Carolina. This regular public school operates with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.9:1, supported by 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized attention. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 67th among 192 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 66th percentile.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education within the Montessori framework, which emphasizes student-centered learning and hands-on exploration. May River Montessori draws families from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $92,421 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.8% and median home values of $383,200 indicate a stable, well-educated population that values educational investment.

Located on Calhoun Street in the heart of Bluffton's small city setting, the school serves a growing community of nearly 48,000 residents. This coastal South Carolina location offers students access to both natural learning opportunities and the cultural richness of the historic Lowcountry region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 104 students, May River Montessori School 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 4.9:1, May River Montessori School 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, May River Montessori School 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 May River Montessori School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Bluffton, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.9:1
This School
vs
11.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
104
This School
vs
820
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.2
This School
vs
7.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 85.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.9% vs 0%
Black 1.9% vs 0%
Asian 1% vs 0%
May River Montessori School Bluffton Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
May River Montessori School (this school) 7.2
Michael C. Riley Elementary 7.9
Red Cedar Elementary 8.7
Bluffton Middle 7.3
Bluffton Elementary 7.8
H. E. McCracken Middle 7.9
River Ridge Academy 8.1
Pritchardville Elementary 6.8
Okatie Elementary 8.6

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 SC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 960
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 26%
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 104
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 SC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 85.6%
Two or More 8.7%
Hispanic 2.9%
Black 1.9%
Asian 1.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

60 CALHOUN ST, Bluffton, SC 29910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering May River Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Red Cedar Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Okatie Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, River Ridge Academy (rated 8.1/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bluffton, see our Bluffton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Michael C. Riley Elementary Bluffton 0.4 mi 7.9
Red Cedar Elementary Bluffton 1.4 mi 8.7
Bluffton Middle Bluffton 1.6 mi 7.3
Bluffton Elementary Bluffton 2.2 mi 7.8
Bluffton High Bluffton 2.4 mi 8.9
H. E. McCracken Middle Bluffton 2.4 mi 7.9
River Ridge Academy Bluffton 5.3 mi 8.1
Pritchardville Elementary Bluffton 6.4 mi 6.8
Okatie Elementary Bluffton 7.2 mi 8.6
May River High Bluffton 6.5 mi 6.9
Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts Hilton Head Island 7.6 mi 5.5
HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Hilton Head Island 8.4 mi 6.6
Hilton Head Island Elementary Hilton Head Island 7.7 mi 6.2
SEA PINES MONTESSORI ACADEMY Hilton Head Island 8.5 mi 7.0
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland 8.9 mi 6.7
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland 8.9 mi 7.8
Hilton Head Island High Hilton Head Island 7.8 mi 6.3
HERITAGE ACADEMY Hilton Head Island 8.3 mi 7.2
Hilton Head Island Middle Hilton Head Island 7.9 mi 5.9
Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center Hilton Head Island 8.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,122

Median Home Value

$420,200

Median Rent

$1,848/mo

Population

50,173

College Educated

46.4%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding May River Montessori School has a median household income of $96,122. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,200, with a median rent of $1,848/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Gadsden Elementary Gadsden, SC 7.2
J. K. Gourdin Elementary Pineville, SC 7.2
THE COOPER SCHOOL Charleston, SC 7.2
The Montessori School of Camden Camden, SC 7.2
John C. Calhoun Elementary Calhoun Falls, SC 7.3
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FLORENCE Florence, SC 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about May River Montessori School

What grades does May River Montessori School serve?

May River Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend May River Montessori School?

May River Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 104 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at May River Montessori School?

The student-teacher ratio at May River Montessori School is 4.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does May River Montessori School rank in SC?

May River Montessori School is ranked #42 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is May River Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

May River Montessori School has a composite rating of 7.2 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.

Is May River Montessori School a private school?

Yes, May River Montessori School 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 May River Montessori School a religious school?

No, May River Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (947/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
104
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
160 days
Setting
Small City
County
BEAUFORT
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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