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Average

#158 of 192 private schools in SC

Montessori School of Pawleys Island

Elementary School

236 COMMERCE LN, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

64

Student-Teacher

5.3:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – Kindergarten

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Pawleys Island

#2 of 2

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#58 of 65

About Montessori School of Pawleys Island

Montessori School of Pawleys Island serves 64 students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten in Georgetown County, South Carolina. This small elementary school operates with an exceptionally low 5.3:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide individualized attention to young learners. The school follows the Montessori educational philosophy as a regular public school option, offering families access to this specialized approach without private school tuition.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, the school ranks 146th among 192 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 24th percentile for South Carolina schools. Located at 236 Commerce Lane, the school draws from a well-educated community where 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code 29585 has a median household income of $74,418 and median home values of $403,100, reflecting the area's appeal as a coastal community.

With a low poverty rate of 8.2% among the 16,268 residents, families generally enjoy economic stability. The intimate class sizes and Montessori approach create an environment where very young children can develop at their own pace through hands-on learning experiences. Montessori School of Pawleys Island sits in a charming coastal town on the fringe of an urban area, offering families the benefits of small-town community life near larger city amenities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 64 students, Montessori School of Pawleys Island 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 5.3:1, Montessori School of Pawleys Island 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, Montessori School of Pawleys Island 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$13,012
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$11,399
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.88x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
87%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 64 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Montessori School of Pawleys Island compares to the 5 public schools in Pawleys Island, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.3:1
This School
vs
13.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
64
This School
vs
477
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 100% vs 0%
Montessori School of Pawleys Island Pawleys Island Public Avg

All Schools in Pawleys Island

School Rating
Montessori School of Pawleys Island (this school) 5.2
Waccamaw Elementary 6.0
Waccamaw High 8.7
Waccamaw Intermediate 7.7
Coastal Montessori Charter 5.0
Waccamaw Middle 7.0

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 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,044
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 64
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 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

236 COMMERCE LN, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montessori School of Pawleys Island may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kensington Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Georgetown), which scores notably higher. Another option is PAWLEYS ISLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Plantersville Elementary Digital Immersion (rated 6.1/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Georgetown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pawleys Island, see our Pawleys Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Waccamaw Elementary Pawleys Island 0.7 mi 6.0
PAWLEYS ISLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pawleys Island 1.0 mi 6.5
Waccamaw High Pawleys Island 1.2 mi 8.7
ALL SAINTS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pawleys Island 1.4 mi
Waccamaw Intermediate Pawleys Island 3.0 mi 7.7
Waccamaw Middle Pawleys Island 3.4 mi 7.0
Coastal Montessori Charter Pawleys Island 3.3 mi 5.0
Plantersville Elementary Digital Immersion Georgetown 7.4 mi 6.1
Kensington Elementary Georgetown 10.0 mi 7.5
THE GEORGETOWN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Georgetown 10.7 mi 7.0
St. James High Murrells Inlet 12.2 mi 7.1
Georgetown Middle Georgetown 10.9 mi 4.8
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Murrells Inlet 11.9 mi 5.5
Georgetown High Georgetown 11.1 mi 6.1
Seaside Elementary Garden City 12.5 mi 4.9
St. James Middle Myrtle Beach 12.9 mi 6.3
St. James Elementary Myrtle Beach 13.1 mi 5.0
Maryville Elementary Georgetown 12.2 mi 4.8
McDonald Elementary Georgetown 11.7 mi 5.6
Burgess Elementary Myrtle Beach 14.5 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29585 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,077

Median Home Value

$423,700

Median Rent

$1,599/mo

Population

17,346

College Educated

49.8%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

60.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montessori School of Pawleys Island has a median household income of $83,077. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,700, with a median rent of $1,599/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
The Palmetto School Rock Hill, SC 5.3
MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia, SC 4.9
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Murrells Inlet, SC 5.5
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cheraw, SC 5.7
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Darlington, SC 5.7
O'QUINN SCHOOLS OF PORTER-GAUD - MOUNT PLEASANT Mount Pleasant, SC 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montessori School of Pawleys Island

What grades does Montessori School of Pawleys Island serve?

Montessori School of Pawleys Island serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.

How many students attend Montessori School of Pawleys Island?

Montessori School of Pawleys Island has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montessori School of Pawleys Island?

The student-teacher ratio at Montessori School of Pawleys Island is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Montessori School of Pawleys Island rank in SC?

Montessori School of Pawleys Island is ranked #158 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Montessori School of Pawleys Island's MySchoolScout rating?

Montessori School of Pawleys Island has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Montessori School of Pawleys Island a private school?

Yes, Montessori School of Pawleys Island 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 School of Pawleys Island a religious school?

No, Montessori School of Pawleys Island is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
64
Gender Split
8% M / 92% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
5.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Fringe Town
County
GEORGETOWN
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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