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Below Average

#48 of 56 private schools in SD

Children's House Montessori

Elementary School

3520 W MAIN ST, Rapid City, SD 57702

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 22 schools in Rapid City. Learn more

Enrollment

34

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Rapid City

#8 of 9

public schools

South Dakota elementary schools

#30 of 33

About Children's House Montessori

Children's House Montessori serves 34 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Rapid City, South Dakota. This regular public elementary school operates with just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment with an 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The school has earned a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 22nd among South Dakota's 56 elementary schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education within its small, close-knit community setting. Located on West Main Street, Children's House Montessori serves families in an affluent area of Rapid City where the median household income reaches $81,537 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 5.1% and median home values of $320,300 indicate a stable, well-educated community that values educational investment.

The school's compact size creates opportunities for multi-age learning experiences and individualized instruction that larger schools often cannot provide. Children's House Montessori operates in Rapid City's thriving small-city environment, where families enjoy the benefits of urban amenities while maintaining a strong sense of community connection.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 34 students, Children's House Montessori 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, Children's House Montessori 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
$15,896
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$17,206
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.08x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
85%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$988,299

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 34 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Children's House Montessori compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Rapid City, SD

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
This School
vs
14.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
34
This School
vs
391
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.7
This School
vs
5.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97.1% vs 0%
Children's House Montessori Rapid City Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Children's House Montessori (this school) 4.7
South Canyon Elementary - 15 4.6
West Middle School - 37 5.2
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 4.6
Pinedale Elementary - 11 5.7
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 5.5
Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 4.7
Horace Mann Elementary - 07 3.8
Southwest Middle School - 38 6.2
Corral Drive Elementary - 21 5.1
South Park Elementary - 16 5.0
Jefferson Building - 64 6.9
General Beadle Elementary - 01 4.5
South Middle School - 36 6.4
North Middle School - 35 5.8
Grandview Elementary - 06 4.9
Wellfully - 65
Robbinsdale Elementary - 14 4.6
Knollwood Heights Elementary - 08 4.8
Rapid Valley Elementary - 12 5.6
East Middle School - 30 5.2

Showing 20 of 21 schools. View all schools in Rapid City

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 SD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 6%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 34
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 SD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 97.1%
Pacific Islander 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3520 W MAIN ST, Rapid City, SD 57702

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Children's House Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pinedale Elementary - 11 (rated 5.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
West Middle School - 37 Rapid City 0.5 mi 5.2
South Canyon Elementary - 15 Rapid City 0.4 mi 4.6
Canyon Lake Elementary - 04 Rapid City 0.8 mi 4.6
Stevens High School - 42 Rapid City 0.8 mi 4.8
Meadowbrook Elementary - 10 Rapid City 1.4 mi 5.5
Pinedale Elementary - 11 Rapid City 1.2 mi 5.7
ST ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL Rapid City 2.0 mi 6.5
Lincoln Building - 44 Rapid City 1.8 mi
Southwest Middle School - 38 Rapid City 2.9 mi 6.2
Corral Drive Elementary - 21 Rapid City 2.9 mi 5.1
Rapid City Online High School - 92 Rapid City 2.2 mi 5.5
Woodrow Wilson Elementary - 17 Rapid City 2.4 mi 4.7
Central High School - 41 Rapid City 2.4 mi 4.0
Horace Mann Elementary - 07 Rapid City 2.6 mi 3.8
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rapid City 3.4 mi 5.9
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rapid City 3.4 mi 5.6
ST THOMAS MORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rapid City 3.0 mi 6.5
South Park Elementary - 16 Rapid City 3.1 mi 5.0
Jefferson Building - 64 Rapid City 3.1 mi 6.9
South Middle School - 36 Rapid City 3.3 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,700

Median Home Value

$341,400

Median Rent

$1,209/mo

Population

35,771

College Educated

48%

Homeownership

72.6%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

47.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Children's House Montessori has a median household income of $85,700. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,400, with a median rent of $1,209/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Tschetter Colony Elementary - 03 Freeman, SD 4.7
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake, SD 4.8
Oaklane Colony Elementary - 05 Alexandria, SD 4.3
MISSOURI VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Yankton, SD 5.2
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter, SD 5.4
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois, SD 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Children's House Montessori

What grades does Children's House Montessori serve?

Children's House Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Children's House Montessori?

Children's House Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Children's House Montessori?

The student-teacher ratio at Children's House Montessori is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Children's House Montessori rank in SD?

Children's House Montessori is ranked #48 out of 56 private schools in SD.

What is Children's House Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?

Children's House Montessori has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Children's House Montessori a private school?

Yes, Children's House Montessori 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 Children's House Montessori a religious school?

No, Children's House Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,515/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
34
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
PENNINGTON
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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