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Below Average

#165 of 192 private schools in SC

Montessori Early Learning Center

Elementary School

1101 BALSAM RD, Columbia, SC 29210

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 70 schools in Columbia. Learn more

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Columbia

#13 of 13

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#59 of 65

About Montessori Early Learning Center

Montessori Early Learning Center is a public elementary school located at 1101 Balsam Rd in Columbia, South Carolina. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 87 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Montessori Early Learning Center focuses on providing a personalized educational experience for each child.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it at the 12th percentile among South Carolina schools. While academic test scores are not available to provide specific context about performance, the school emphasizes student development and learning through its Montessori approach. This method encourages independent thinking, creativity, and collaborative play.

Montessori Early Learning Center is situated in a mid-size city setting within Richland County. The neighborhood around the school does not have detailed information provided, but it offers an inclusive community environment for students to thrive and grow academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, Montessori Early Learning 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.

As a private school, Montessori Early Learning 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 Early Learning Center compares to 58 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
This School
vs
12.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
87
This School
vs
611
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Black 48.3% vs 0%
White 43.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.9% vs 0%
Asian 1.1% vs 0%
Montessori Early Learning Center Columbia Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Montessori Early Learning Center (this school) 4.9
H. B. Rhame Elementary 5.0
St. Andrews Middle 5.3
Edward E. Taylor Elementary 5.2
Heyward Gibbes Middle 5.6
Sandel Elementary 4.4
Logan Elementary 8.9
SC Connections Academy 2.6
Hyatt Park Elementary 4.8
Clear Dot Charter School 5.7
Seven Oaks Elementary 4.1
Pine Grove Elementary 5.1
Alcorn Middle 4.2
Watkins-Nance Elementary 3.7
Carver-Lyon Elementary 8.3
Arden Elementary 5.1
W. A. Perry Middle 5.7
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center 7.1
J. P. Thomas Elementary 5.1
Burton Pack Elementary 5.4
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy 4.9

Showing 20 of 58 schools. View all schools in Columbia

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)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,080
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 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 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 87
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)

Black 48.3%
White 43.7%
Hispanic 6.9%
Asian 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1101 BALSAM RD, Columbia, SC 29210

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montessori Early Learning Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Logan Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Point Academy (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia 0.4 mi 5.0
St. Andrews Middle Columbia 0.5 mi 5.3
Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia 1.1 mi 5.2
Columbia High Columbia 1.7 mi 7.7
Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia 1.8 mi 7.5
Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia 1.6 mi 5.6
Sandel Elementary Columbia 1.7 mi 4.4
Riverbank Elementary West Columbia 1.9 mi 7.2
Northside Middle West Columbia 2.0 mi 5.0
Logan Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 8.9
East Point Academy West Columbia 2.4 mi 7.9
SC Connections Academy Columbia 2.4 mi 2.6
GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia 2.7 mi 7.4
Eau Claire High Columbia 2.6 mi 7.2
1955 Columbia 3.0 mi 6.7
Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia 2.6 mi 4.8
Clear Dot Charter School Columbia 2.7 mi 5.7
ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia 2.9 mi 7.8
Pine Grove Elementary Columbia 3.0 mi 5.1
Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia 2.9 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,258

Median Home Value

$183,000

Median Rent

$1,076/mo

Population

40,504

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

37.1%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montessori Early Learning Center has a median household income of $50,258. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,000, with a median rent of $1,076/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. 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
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PAWLEYS ISLAND Pawleys Island, SC 5.2
The Palmetto School Rock Hill, SC 5.3
Academy of Hope Charter Conway, SC 4.5
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Murrells Inlet, SC 5.5
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cheraw, SC 5.7
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Darlington, SC 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montessori Early Learning Center

What grades does Montessori Early Learning Center serve?

Montessori Early Learning Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Montessori Early Learning Center?

Montessori Early Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montessori Early Learning Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Montessori Early Learning Center is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Montessori Early Learning Center rank in SC?

Montessori Early Learning Center is ranked #165 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Montessori Early Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Montessori Early Learning Center has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Early Learning Center a private school?

Yes, Montessori Early Learning 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 Early Learning Center a religious school?

No, Montessori Early Learning Center is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
87
Gender Split
34% M / 66% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
RICHLAND
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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