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Montessori Early Learning Center

1101 Balsam Rd
Columbia, SC 29210

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Tel: (803) 772-2262

www.melcsota.com

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The Montessori Early Learning Center and School of the Arts was founded on July 15, l976.

The school encompasses a campus type setting with a custom designed main building of 7,000 square feet, built to Montessori specifications, housing 6 primary, multi-aged classrooms of children 3-6 years of age.

The school operates in the purest European tradition and is not modified in any way.

The school employs teachers that are AMI or St. Nicholas (British) certified.

All classrooms are fully equipped with imported didactic apparatus. The center has sound proofed music studios and dance studios.

There is also a small studio for visual arts. Artists with the highest qualifications are brought in for group and private instruction.

Quick Facts (2026)

School Type: Montessori School
Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 82 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Top Rankings

Montessori Early Learning Center ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for:

School Overview

School Type

Montessori School

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Other Montessori association(s)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-6

Year Founded

2024

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

82 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

56%

State avg.: 18%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

7 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

National avg.: 11:1

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

School Notes

School Motto: 'Truth and Honor'

The Montessori Early Learning Center and School of the Arts was founded on July 15, l976. The school encompasses a campus type setting with a custom designed main building of 7,000 square feet, built to Montessori specifications, housing 6 primary, multi-aged classrooms of children 3-6 years of age. The school operates in the purest European tradition and is not modified in any way. The school employs teachers that are AMI or St. Nicholas (British) certified. All classrooms are fully equipped with imported didactic apparatus. The center has sound proofed music studios and dance studios. There is also a small studio for visual arts. Artists with the highest qualifications are brought in for group and private instruction.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline for Montessori Early Learning Center?

The application deadline for Montessori Early Learning Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Quick Facts (2026)

School Type: Montessori School
Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 82 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Columbia, SC is $13,129 for elementary schools and $14,285 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Columbia, SC is 81% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).