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Very Good

#76 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 20% of private schools

Three Tree Montessori School

Elementary School

220 SW 160TH ST, Burien, WA 98166

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 9 schools in Burien. Learn more

Enrollment

68

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Burien

#1 of 5

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#42 of 231

About Three Tree Montessori School

Three Tree Montessori School serves 68 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Burien, Washington. This small elementary school maintains an impressive 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio with seven full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 97th among Washington's 381 elementary schools, placing it in the 75th percentile statewide.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within the Montessori framework. As a regular public school offering the distinctive Montessori educational approach, Three Tree provides an alternative learning environment that emphasizes hands-on, self-directed learning and collaborative play. The small enrollment creates an intimate school community where students can develop strong connections with peers and educators across multiple grade levels.

The school serves families in the 98166 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $105,013 and 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of 8.8% and median home values of $732,600, the school draws from an economically stable community. Three Tree Montessori School operates within Burien's large suburban setting, providing families with an innovative public education option in King County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 68 students, Three Tree 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 9.7:1, Three Tree 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, Three Tree 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 Three Tree Montessori School compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Burien, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
This School
vs
16.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
68
This School
vs
350
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 55.9% vs 0%
Asian 13.2% vs 0%
Black 8.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.9% vs 0%
Three Tree Montessori School Burien Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Three Tree Montessori School (this school) 7.4
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy 4.5
Sylvester Middle School 5.5
Gregory Heights Elementary 7.9
Seahurst Elementary School 6.5
Big Picture School 6.4
Highline Home School Center
Cedarhurst Elementary 6.8
Hazel Valley Elementary 4.5
Shorewood Elementary 6.1

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 WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 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)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 62%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 68
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 WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 55.9%
Asian 13.2%
Two or More 13.2%
Black 8.8%
Hispanic 5.9%
Native American 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

220 SW 160TH ST, Burien, WA 98166

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Three Tree Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Hill Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gregory Heights Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marvista Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Normandy Park), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Burien, see our Burien schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy Burien 0.2 mi 4.5
Sylvester Middle School Burien 0.2 mi 5.5
Highline High School Burien 0.5 mi 3.7
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien 1.3 mi 6.6
Gregory Heights Elementary Burien 0.9 mi 7.9
Seahurst Elementary School Burien 1.1 mi 6.5
GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien 1.5 mi 6.1
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Burien 1.2 mi 6.3
Big Picture School Burien 1.7 mi 6.4
CHOICE Academy Seattle 1.7 mi 6.8
Highline Home School Center Burien 1.7 mi
Hazel Valley Elementary Burien 1.8 mi 4.5
Cedarhurst Elementary Burien 1.8 mi 6.8
ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Burien 2.1 mi 6.2
Marvista Elementary Normandy Park 2.4 mi 7.9
Highline Open Doors 1418 Burien 2.5 mi 4.7
North Hill Elementary Des Moines 2.5 mi 8.2
Maritime High School Des Moines 2.7 mi 7.2
Evergreen High School Seattle 2.8 mi 5.9
Glacier Middle School Seatac 2.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98166 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,191

Median Home Value

$785,700

Median Rent

$1,739/mo

Population

22,001

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

66.6%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Three Tree Montessori School has a median household income of $112,191. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $785,700, with a median rent of $1,739/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% 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
THE GARDNER SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES Vancouver, WA 7.4
THE SEABURY SCHOOL Tacoma, WA 7.4
CHRYSALIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Woodinville, WA 7.5
NORTHERN LIGHTS MONTESSORI Redmond, WA 7.5
UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.3
Inchelium Elementary School Inchelium, WA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Three Tree Montessori School

What grades does Three Tree Montessori School serve?

Three Tree Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Three Tree Montessori School?

Three Tree Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Three Tree Montessori School?

The student-teacher ratio at Three Tree Montessori School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Three Tree Montessori School rank in WA?

Three Tree Montessori School is ranked #76 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is Three Tree Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Three Tree 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 Three Tree Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Three Tree 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 Three Tree Montessori School a religious school?

No, Three Tree Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
52 Good Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,853/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
68
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
KING
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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