Santa Monica Montessori School is a private academic preschool and elementary school through eighth grade based on the philosophy of freeing the child's potential in a stimulating environment.
Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman M.D. in Italy, developed what she called the "prepared environment" which helps your child develop according to his or her own capacities in a non-competitive private school environment.
The goal of a prepared environment is to help your child develop self-confidence and independence that inspires self-discipline and a love of learning which will remain throughout his/her life.
Montessori Schools emphasize individual as opposed to group development. Dr. Montessori believed that the most effective impulse to learning was self-motivation, so a prepared environment does not force information and skills onto the child but rather he acquires the knowledge himself.
Santa Monica Montessori School offers your child love, security, and a stimulating private school environment that inspires learning through exploration and discovery.
We have a very diverse student body representing many countries, cultures and races. We work with the "Connections for Children" Organization.
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Montessori School
- Grades: Kindergarten-6
- Enrollment: 42 students
- Yearly Tuition: $2,500
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Santa Monica Montessori ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-6
Year Founded
1960
Summer School Offered
Yes
Student Body
Total Students
42 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
41%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
5 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
20%
Average Class Size
12 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Comfort rules. Dress like a kid!!
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Half Day - $1,900 (8:30am-12:00pm)
School Day -$2,200 (8:30am-3:00pm)
Full Day - $2,500 (7:30am-5:30pm)
All forms of payments accepted
$100 application fee
$500 registration fee (books, supplies, insurance)
Summer Program Cost Notes
See website for more information.
% on Financial Aid
10%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$250
Acceptance Rate
95%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Associate
Ms. Funes & Ms. Galvan
Sports
Total Sports Offered
6 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Building Workshop (blocks), Homework Club, Mandarin Chinese, Peace Garden, Spanish, Sports, Storytelling, Voice and Piano
Arts and Music Programs:
Arts/Crafts, Cooklng, Dance & Movement
Arts and Music Programs:
Arts/Crafts, Cooklng, Dance & Movement
School Notes
- The child will be encouraged to think outside the box! We encourage creativity. We have a very diverse student body representing many countries, cultures and races.
- An unpretentious environment encouraging genuine values
- Organic snacks and lunches!
- A safe, beautiful environment in an old mansion
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Santa Monica Montessori cost?
Santa Monica Montessori's tuition is approximately $2,500 for private students.
What schools are Santa Monica Montessori often compared to?
Santa Monica Montessori is often viewed alongside schools like Garden Of Angels School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Santa Monica Montessori?
The acceptance rate of Santa Monica Montessori is 95%, which is higher than the national average of 80%.
What sports does Santa Monica Montessori offer?
Santa Monica Montessori offers 6 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Basketball, Dance, Gymnastics, Soccer and Tennis.
When is the application deadline for Santa Monica Montessori?
The application deadline for Santa Monica Montessori is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Related Schools
Show me:
Popular comparisons: Santa Monica Montessori vs. Garden Of Angels School
People that viewed Santa Monica Montessori also viewed these schools: Westside Neighborhood School, Turning Point School, St. Annes School, Crossroads School For Arts & Sciences and Academic Achievers Academy.
The nearest high school to Santa Monica Montessori is Crossroads School For Arts & Sciences (0.2 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is St. Annes School (0.1 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Waldorf Early Childhood Center (0.3 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: NS-8 | 598 students 4.6 miles 5401 Beethoven Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 574-8650
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 574-8650
4.6
NS-8
598
Grades: NS-8 | 296 students 5.3 miles 8780 National Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 841-2505
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 841-2505
5.3
NS-8
296
Grades: K-8 | 156 students 0.1 miles 2015 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2775
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 829-2775
0.1
K-8
156
Grades: K-12 | 1,218 students 0.2 miles 1714 21st St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 309-9863
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 309-9863
0.2
K-12
1,218
Academic Achievers Academy
Alternative School
Grades: K-6 0.5 miles 2500 Broadway St. #125
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 883-5810
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 883-5810
0.5
K-6
n/a
School Reviews
5 5/17/2016
My daughter first attended the school and now my son goes there. I can't speak highly enough of Mrs. Crisman the director and all the staff at the school. It is a very special place and we have been absolutely thrilled with the attention our kids received. We credit everyone at this school with the little geniuses they have become.
5 5/17/2016
Amazing school with a lot of really great programs and a staff that feels more like a family than a company. We decided on a private school after having a very disappointing experience with the public schools in the area. We selected this school in particular because the executive director is one of the most well known teacher trainers in the montessori field, and we have been excited by our child's progress (though he was a genius already). =)
5 10/6/2012
An amazing school and an amazing program, our 10 year old just took an admissions test at another school (we had to move and change schools for employment reasons) and they are telling us that he is reading and writing at almost a high school level and doing math at a high school level. This was just a couple of years after we were told he may have special needs by a public school teacher. I would both strongly recommend Santa Monica Montessori School and strongly recommend avoiding the public schools in the area.
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