Below Average
#165 of 192 private schools in SC
Montessori Early Learning Center
Elementary School
1101 BALSAM RD, Columbia, SC 29210
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
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Montessori Early Learning Center compares to 58 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC
Student Demographics
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.
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
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (803) 772-2262
- 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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