Skip to main content

Average

#161 of 284 private schools in TN

Natures Way Montessori School

Elementary School

4710 MURPHY RD, Knoxville, TN 37918

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 78 schools in Knoxville. Learn more

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

7.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Knoxville

#11 of 20

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#68 of 106

About Natures Way Montessori School

Natures Way Montessori School serves 94 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Knoxville's 37918 ZIP code area. This regular public elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for individualized attention that aligns with the Montessori educational philosophy. The school has earned a strong 9.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting its commitment to quality education.

While its state ranking places it at #212 out of 284 Tennessee schools, the small class sizes and Montessori approach provide a unique learning environment focused on student-centered development and hands-on learning experiences. Located on Murphy Road, the school serves families in a stable suburban community where the median household income is $65,721 and median home values reach $213,500. The neighborhood demonstrates moderate educational attainment, with 29% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.8%.

Natures Way Montessori School offers an intimate educational setting in Knox County's large suburban landscape, combining the benefits of public education accessibility with the specialized Montessori methodology in a well-established residential community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 94 students, Natures Way 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 7.6:1, Natures Way 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, Natures Way 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

Beta

How Natures Way Montessori School compares to 69 public schools serving similar grades in Knoxville, TN

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
This School
vs
14.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
94
This School
vs
580
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 92.6% vs 0%
Asian 5.3% vs 0%
Black 2.1% vs 0%
Natures Way Montessori School Knoxville Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Natures Way Montessori School (this school) 6.2
Ritta Elementary 7.2
Shannondale Elementary 6.5
Adrian Burnett Elementary 4.7
Richard Yoakley School 6.5
Spring Hill Elementary 5.1
Holston Middle School 6.3
Fountain City Elementary 7.0
Halls Middle School 5.0
Gresham Middle School 4.4
Whittle Springs Middle School 5.0
Halls Elementary 7.1
Chilhowee Intermediate 6.4
Fair Garden Family/Community Center 5.7
Tennessee Virtual Academy 3.8
Tennessee Virtual Junior High School 2.3
Belle Morris Elementary 5.8
Sunnyview Primary 5.4
Gibbs Middle School 5.2
Christenberry Elementary 7.3
Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy 5.0

Showing 20 of 69 schools. View all schools in Knoxville

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 TN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,239
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 14%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 94
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 TN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 92.6%
Asian 5.3%
Black 2.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

4710 MURPHY RD, Knoxville, TN 37918

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Natures Way Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GARDEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ritta Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Halls Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ritta Elementary Knoxville 1.0 mi 7.2
Shannondale Elementary Knoxville 1.5 mi 6.5
Adrian Burnett Elementary Knoxville 1.8 mi 4.7
Richard Yoakley School Knoxville 2.6 mi 6.5
Spring Hill Elementary Knoxville 2.7 mi 5.1
Holston Middle School Knoxville 3.1 mi 6.3
Central High School Knoxville 2.8 mi 6.4
BEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville 3.5 mi 7.2
GARDEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville 3.0 mi 7.7
Halls High School Knoxville 3.4 mi 6.0
Chilhowee Intermediate Knoxville 3.8 mi 6.4
Whittle Springs Middle School Knoxville 3.6 mi 5.0
Halls Middle School Knoxville 3.4 mi 5.0
Fountain City Elementary Knoxville 3.3 mi 7.0
Gresham Middle School Knoxville 3.5 mi 4.4
Fair Garden Family/Community Center Knoxville 4.2 mi 5.7
Halls Elementary Knoxville 3.7 mi 7.1
Belle Morris Elementary Knoxville 4.4 mi 5.8
Austin East High/Magnet Knoxville 4.7 mi 6.7
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Corryton 4.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37918 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,311

Median Home Value

$237,500

Median Rent

$1,102/mo

Population

45,978

College Educated

30.8%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Natures Way Montessori School has a median household income of $69,311. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,500, with a median rent of $1,102/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Jones Cove Elementary Cosby, TN 6.3
OOLTEWAH ADVENTIST SCHOOL Ooltewah, TN 6.3
Maynard Elementary Knoxville, TN 6.1
AMARE MONTESSORI Clarksville, TN 6.4
BELVOIR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chattanooga, TN 6.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Tazewell, TN 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Natures Way Montessori School

What grades does Natures Way Montessori School serve?

Natures Way Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Natures Way Montessori School?

Natures Way Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Natures Way Montessori School?

The student-teacher ratio at Natures Way Montessori School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Natures Way Montessori School rank in TN?

Natures Way Montessori School is ranked #161 out of 284 private schools in TN.

What is Natures Way Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Natures Way Montessori School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Natures Way Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Natures Way 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 Natures Way Montessori School a religious school?

No, Natures Way Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,466/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
94
Gender Split
40% M / 60% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
KNOX
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.