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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Waco Montessori School compares to 36 public schools serving similar grades in Waco, TX

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
This School
vs
14.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
152
This School
vs
455
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 81.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 7.9% vs 0%
Asian 4.6% vs 0%
Black 1.3% vs 0%
Waco Montessori School Waco Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,392
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 32%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 152
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)

White 81.6%
Hispanic 7.9%
Asian 4.6%
Two or More 4.6%
Black 1.3%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,558/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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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