Emerson Montessori School

ELI`s Emerson School in Palo Alto is a private, nonsectarian institution for students from first grade through eighth grade.
It takes an integrated approach to learning that builds on the classic foundations of Western civilization and addresses the future needs of students and their families. Emerson`s reliance on an individualized pace for the development of basic skills means that individual progress is optimized and, in general, accelerated. Students are typically placed in groups spanning two to three years of age without grade distinctions.
The multiage groupings make possible a program that is customized for each student, thereby accommodating a wide range learning styles and personalities.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: 1-8
  • Enrollment: 30 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $29,820
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 1-8
Dual Language Immersion Program
Secondary Immersion Language
Spanish and Mandarin
Year Founded
1983
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
30 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
58%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Emerson Montessori School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
7 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
50%
Average Class Size
12 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Grades 1-5 tuition covering 9 hours/day on a 12 month contract. Contact school for 10 month contract or middle school grades.
Summer Program Cost
$650
Summer Program Cost Notes
Included for enrolled students, the Summer Writing Camp is open to outside students and runs for three weeks every July. Cost: $650/week (Discount for each additional week enrolled)
Admissions Director
Charles D. Bernstein
Admissions Associate
cbernstein@headsup.org

School Notes

  • The goal of our teachers is to create an environment that encourages the pursuit of excellence in all facets of a child`s work, to stimulate a sense of curiosity, and to encourage the development of independence and individual responsibility as well as a social conscience. As much as possible, our teachers avoid the role of "sage on stage" who imparts content to students that they can just as easily obtain from books or other sources. Instead, our teachers for the most part act like tutors who float from student to student, checking on progress, ensuring that skill development is continuing, and remediating any problems during the learning process rather than doubling back after a test failure to understand where things went wrong.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Emerson Montessori School cost?
Emerson Montessori School's tuition is approximately $29,820 for private students and $650 for summer students.
Does Emerson Montessori School offer a summer program?
Yes, Emerson Montessori School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
When is the application deadline for Emerson Montessori School?
The application deadline for Emerson Montessori School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Emerson Montessori School located?
Emerson Montessori School is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Palo Alto, CA. There are 2 other private schools located in Midtown.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (3 reviews)
5  
I have two kids at this school. My older has been with this school since kindergarten. He is now in lower elementary at Emerson Montessori. My younger one joined the baby program when he was a year old. So far they both have had a safe, excellent and well rounded experience at this school. This school has a very established Baby,Kindergarten and Elementary school setup and some really good teachers and staff. My kids get a balanced experience both academically and with their social development. This school does give exposure to Spanish, Mandrain, Art to kids since kindergarten. Which my son really enjoys.My older enjoys learning the piano and being a part of the yearly musical at their school. They also have a historical Halloween for all kids in elementary that focuses on public speaking. During summer they have 3 weeks of writing camp that helps them develop great writing and comprehension skills early on. This school is an all year (only 10 days off) all day 8am to 6pm school and that helps us as we are working parents and need that support. We also enjoy one pick up and drop. That saves us a lot of hassle with traffic and commuting which would have been the case otherwise. I am really happy with this school and so are my kids. I would highly recommend you come take a tour and know more if this school is a fit for your family. We also have a fantastic parents support group where we always up for play dates and time at the park post school or on the weekends.
- Posted by
5  
Emerson School is a unicorn in my book. The year-round program addresses many pain points for Bay Area parents, and includes solid academics (ahead of public school), without being hyper-competitive. Things we like:- Year Round schedule (closes on 10-11 Federal Holidays). - Take your kid out of school any day (great for off-peak or far-away travel).- Full-day schedule (typically 8:30 am-5:30 pm (9 hrs), but you can pay to drop off earlier and/or pick up later). They have school activities till 5 pm, then the kids have free time to play educational games or work on projects. You can still pick them up before 5 pm for classes/extracurricular activities and it won't disrupt their education.- No half days.- No homework (they do their work at school, except for occasional projects)- Spanish Class (2x a week)- Mandarin Class (2x a week)- Art Class (2x a week)- Music Class (2x a week. Starting 4th grade, they learn the violin).Other notes:- Rolling admissions. You don't have to wait to apply at a certain time of year or go through an extensive application process. Just reach out to see if they have space.- The building is shared by the daycare/preschool (HeadsUp!) program. Convenient for single location drop off/pick up if you have multiple children.- Small class size with multiple grades mixed together.- Lower Elementary: Grades 1-3- Upper Elementary: Grades 4-5- Middle: Grades 6-8- They have 1 other campus (Pleasanton)- They don't do fundraisers or ask for donations.
- Posted by
5  
We love this school and our kids don't want to leave at the end of the day. The teachers are passionate, the class sizes are small and the teaching is of a high standard. The best part is my kids (9 and 7) are empowered to take responsibility for their learning, something very unique that will help them in the future. Finally, worth mentioning the varied curriculum which includes a daily hour of sport, 3 hours of music, 3 hours of languages and 2 hours of art a week.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: 1-8
  • Enrollment: 30 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $29,820
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Palo Alto, CA is $35,315 for elementary schools and $41,267 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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