Very Good
#177 of 884 private schools in TX
Top 20% of private schools
Waco Montessori School
Elementary School
1920 COLUMBUS AVE, Waco, TX 76701
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TX statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Waco
#1 of 9
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#85 of 436
About Waco Montessori School
Waco Montessori School serves 152 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Waco, Texas, offering a distinctive Montessori approach within the public school system. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, allowing for individualized attention and the hands-on, self-directed learning that defines Montessori education. The school earns a solid 8.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 41st percentile among Texas elementary schools.
This regular public school provides families in the area with access to specialized Montessori pedagogy without private school costs, making this educational approach available to a diverse student population. Located on Columbus Avenue, Waco Montessori School serves a community where 33% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school's small size creates an intimate learning environment where students can develop independence and critical thinking skills through the Montessori method's emphasis on mixed-age classrooms and student-led discovery.
The school operates in Waco's mid-size city setting, providing students with both urban amenities and a close-knit school community that supports the collaborative and nurturing principles central to Montessori education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 152 students, Waco 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 7.2:1, Waco 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, Waco 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.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $15,667
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $17,376
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.11x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 85%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $3.4M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 152 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Waco Montessori School compares to 36 public schools serving similar grades in Waco, TX
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Waco Montessori School (this school) | 7.4 |
| BELL'S HILL EL | 5.3 |
| WEST AVENUE EL | 6.5 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL | 4.8 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE | 6.3 |
| KENDRICK EL | 6.4 |
| BROOK AVENUE EL | 4.9 |
| DEAN HIGHLAND EL | 5.7 |
| METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME | 6.2 |
| CRESTVIEW EL | 4.9 |
| SOUTH WACO EL | 4.6 |
| QUINN CAMPUS PUBLIC MIDDLE | 7.0 |
| G L WILEY OPPORTUNITY CENTER | 6.7 |
| J H HINES EL | 5.9 |
| ALTA VISTA EL | 4.1 |
| G W CARVER MIDDLE | 5.5 |
| HILLCREST PDS MAGNET | 6.1 |
| AUDRE AND BERNARD RAPOPORT ACADEMY | 3.8 |
| LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL | 6.8 |
| CEDAR RIDGE EL | 6.2 |
| TENNYSON MIDDLE | 6.5 |
Showing 20 of 36 schools. View all schools in Waco
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 TX.
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 TX
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
1920 COLUMBUS AVE, Waco, TX 76701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waco Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WEST AVENUE EL (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| WEST AVENUE EL Waco | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| BELL'S HILL EL Waco | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Waco | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Waco | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO Beverly Hills | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| KENDRICK EL Waco | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| BROOK AVENUE EL Waco | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| LIVE OAK CLASSICAL SCHOOL Waco | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| REICHER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waco | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waco | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME Waco | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| DEAN HIGHLAND EL Waco | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.9 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.9 mi | — |
| MCLENNAN COUNTY CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.9 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.9 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$24,593
Median Rent
$1,008/mo
Population
1,732
College Educated
31.9%
Homeownership
13.2%
Poverty Rate
40.2%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waco Montessori School has a median household income of $24,593. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 40.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALTA LOMA EL San Angelo, TX | 7.4 |
| BRAZOS SCHOOL FOR INQUIRY AND CREATIVITY TIDWELL Bryan, TX | 7.4 |
| NEW WAVERLY INT New Waverly, TX | 7.4 |
| SAINT JO EL Saint Jo, TX | 7.4 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Seguin, TX | 7.4 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Gainesville, TX | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waco Montessori School
What grades does Waco Montessori School serve?
Waco Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Waco Montessori School?
Waco Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waco Montessori School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waco Montessori School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Waco Montessori School rank in TX?
Waco Montessori School is ranked #177 out of 884 private schools in TX.
What is Waco Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waco Montessori School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Waco Montessori School a private school?
Yes, Waco 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 Waco Montessori School a religious school?
No, Waco Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 152
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 174 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- MCLENNAN
- Phone
- (254) 754-3966
- 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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