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Excellent

#5 of 457 private schools in VA

Top 1% of private schools

Sunset Hills Montessori School

Elementary School

11180 RIDGE HEIGHTS RD, Reston, VA 20191

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 10 schools in Reston. Learn more

Enrollment

81

Student-Teacher

2.3:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Reston

#1 of 6

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#3 of 200

About Sunset Hills Montessori School

Sunset Hills Montessori School is a public elementary school located in Reston, Virginia, offering education from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 81 students and a student-teacher ratio of 2.3:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment that fosters individual growth and development. The dedicated teaching staff includes 35 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to nurturing young minds.

Sunset Hills Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10, with an academic score of 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 24th percentile among Virginia schools. Although specific test scores are not available, the school focuses on student development and offers a supportive educational setting for all learners. The school is situated in a small city, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources while providing a safe environment conducive to learning.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 81 students, Sunset Hills 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 2.3:1, Sunset Hills 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, Sunset Hills 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 Sunset Hills Montessori School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Reston, VA

Student-Teacher Ratio
2.3:1
This School
vs
12.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
81
This School
vs
558
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.8
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 39.5% vs 0%
Asian 28.4% vs 0%
Black 16% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.5% vs 0%
Sunset Hills Montessori School Reston Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Sunset Hills Montessori School (this school) 8.8
Terraset Elementary 7.2
Sunrise Valley Elementary 7.6
Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences 8.1
Dogwood Elementary 4.3
Lake Anne Elementary 5.1
Forest Edge Elementary 7.2
Aldrin Elementary 8.7
Armstrong Elementary 7.6

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 VA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 2.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,455
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 67%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 81
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 VA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 39.5%
Asian 28.4%
Black 16.0%
Native American 11.1%
Hispanic 2.5%
Two or More 2.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

11180 RIDGE HEIGHTS RD, Reston, VA 20191

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunset Hills Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aldrin Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is AL FATIH ACADEMY (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fox Mill Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Herndon), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Reston, see our Reston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hughes Middle Reston 0.4 mi 7.2
South Lakes High Reston 0.4 mi 7.8
Terraset Elementary Reston 0.6 mi 7.2
Sunrise Valley Elementary Reston 0.7 mi 7.6
ACADEMY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Reston 1.0 mi 7.4
DOMINION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reston 1.2 mi 5.3
RUSSIAN KIDS HOUSE Reston 1.3 mi
EDLIN SCHOOL Reston 1.2 mi 7.3
RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Reston 1.4 mi 7.7
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RESTON Reston 1.9 mi
Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Reston 1.6 mi 8.1
DOMINION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oakton 2.0 mi 5.2
Lake Anne Elementary Reston 2.2 mi 5.1
Forest Edge Elementary Reston 2.3 mi 7.2
Crossfield Elementary Herndon 2.1 mi 7.0
Dogwood Elementary Reston 2.2 mi 4.3
AL FATIH ACADEMY Reston 2.2 mi 8.6
Aldrin Elementary Reston 3.1 mi 8.7
ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vienna 3.0 mi 5.9
Fox Mill Elementary Herndon 2.7 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20191 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,019

Median Home Value

$616,700

Median Rent

$1,983/mo

Population

30,077

College Educated

65.9%

Homeownership

69.4%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sunset Hills Montessori School has a median household income of $141,019. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $616,700, with a median rent of $1,983/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
PRINCE WILLIAM ACADEMY Lake Ridge, VA 8.9
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Aldie, VA 8.3
Gladesboro Elementary Hillsville, VA 8.3
Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove, VA 8.3
THE NEWTON SCHOOL Sterling, VA 8.3
Lincoln Elementary Purcellville, VA 9.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunset Hills Montessori School

What grades does Sunset Hills Montessori School serve?

Sunset Hills Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Sunset Hills Montessori School?

Sunset Hills Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Hills Montessori School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Hills Montessori School is 2.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sunset Hills Montessori School rank in VA?

Sunset Hills Montessori School is ranked #5 out of 457 private schools in VA.

What is Sunset Hills Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Hills Montessori School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Sunset Hills Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Sunset Hills 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 Sunset Hills Montessori School a religious school?

No, Sunset Hills Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
81
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
194 days
Setting
Small City
County
FAIRFAX
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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