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
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
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher
4.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow May River Montessori School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Bluffton, SC
Student Demographics
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.
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 SC
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
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (843) 757-2312
- 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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