Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Summary:

Murray-LaSaine Montessori is a public elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Charleston, South Carolina, with a student population of 363. The school is part of the Charleston 01 school district, which is ranked 24th out of 75 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Murray-LaSaine Montessori consistently outperforms the Charleston 01 district and the state of South Carolina in standardized test scores across multiple grade levels and subjects. In 2023-2024, the school had 83.3% of 3rd graders, 88.9% of 5th graders, and 70% of 7th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, significantly higher than the district and state averages. The school's performance in mathematics and science assessments is also strong, with 75% of 3rd graders, 61.1% of 5th graders, and 40% of 7th graders proficient or better in mathematics, and 66.7% of 4th graders and 43.5% of 6th graders scoring proficient or better in science.

When compared to nearby schools in the Charleston 01 district, Murray-LaSaine Montessori stands out for its exceptional academic performance, with a statewide ranking in the top 25% of South Carolina elementary schools. The school's female and male students have consistently ranked in the top 15% and top 10% of South Carolina elementary schools, respectively, and its White students have maintained a strong ranking in the top 35%. Additionally, the school has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (36.91%) compared to nearby schools like Memminger Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, and Stono Park Elementary, all of which have 100% free or reduced-price lunch recipients.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 691 Riverland Drive
       Charleston, SC  29412


(843) 762-2765

District: Charleston 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
111th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,923 Help


Students who attend Murray-LaSaine Montessori usually attend:

Middle:    Camp Road Middle
High:    James Island Charter High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.7 Help
Number of students:  338

Racial breakdown:

White:
81.4%
African American:
8.3%
Hispanic:
5.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  29.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Murray-LaSaine Montessori ranks better than 82.6% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 17th among 44 ranked elementary schools in the Charleston 01 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 81.15. (See more...)
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Compare Details Murray-LaSaine Montessori is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 79.96. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (81.4%), African American (8.3%), Hispanic (5.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 29.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Murray-LaSaine Montessori is 13.7, which is the 24th best among 44 elementary schools in the Charleston 01 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Murray-LaSaine Montessori employs 24.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Murray-LaSaine Montessori is $17,923, which is the 23rd highest among 44 elementary schools in the Charleston 01 School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Murray-LaSaine Montessori:

SchoolDigger ranks Murray-LaSaine Montessori 111th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Murray-LaSaine Montessori in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


White students:


Charleston 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Charleston 01 24th of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Murray-LaSaine Montessori

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 40.55 358th 542 33.9%
2004 25.20 454th 550 17.5%
2005 21.61 482nd 557 13.5%
2006 44.20 353rd 559 36.9%
2007 42.39 375th 566 33.7%
2008 36.01 414th 577 28.2%
2009 40.81 383rd 580 34.0%
2010 52.22 302nd 589 48.7%
2011 45.23 370th 597 38.0%
2012 56.67 287th 594 51.7%
2013 47.95 348th 599 41.9%
2014 30.82 481st 630 23.7%
2015 35.52 430th 638 32.6%
2016 36.20 404th 619 34.7%
2017 37.09 402nd 639 37.1%
2018 31.46 434th 624 30.4%
2019 47.32 341st 643 47.0%
2021 72.52 157th 622 74.8%
2022 80.71 110th 625 82.4%
2023 80.34 118th 644 81.7%
2024 81.15 111th 638 82.6%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.92 441st 588 25.0%
2019 25.88 471st 600 21.5%
2021 54.14 259th 580 55.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.12 458th 570 19.6%
2019 38.45 383rd 588 34.9%
2021 80.78 95th 554 82.9%
2022 87.71 65th 573 88.7%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Gifted and Talented students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 46.12 85th 105 19.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.72 276th 590 53.2%
2021 67.62 156th 561 72.2%
2022 68.84 172nd 579 70.3%
2023 89.73 48th 582 91.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.66 322nd 457 29.5%
2019 56.45 216th 472 54.2%
2021 55.07 205th 439 53.3%
2022 59.79 186th 455 59.1%
2023 65.08 159th 463 65.7%
2024 74.26 102nd 441 76.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Murray-LaSaine Montessori

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Rank History for all middle school students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 58.55 113th 311 63.7%
2023 79.96 61st 325 81.2%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 54.14 117th 288 59.4%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Murray-LaSaine Montessori Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, January 24, 2015

Open Quote We love Murray Lasaine Elementary. We have two children there, both in the Montessori program, and have had only wonderful experiences for the past two years. The teachers and staff are kind and devoted; the children are delightful, of course; and the parents are generous and involved. We love the diversity compared to other James Island schools, and we love the community feel of the school. It feels like family. The Montessori Program is fully stocked with appropriate materials, and the teachers are all entirely committed to the Montessori philosophy, so I feel confident that my children are experiencing the benefits of a true Montessori education. The school is experiencing natural growing pains as the enrollment has almost doubled, but that is all par for the course and will soon level out and in no way affects the children negatively. My children never even witness teasing, bullying, ostracizing, or any thing of the sort. They feel safe and loved by the entire community. The SAIL program for Talented and Gifted is outstanding. We're looking forward to a newly renovated building in Fall 2015!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Murray-LaSaine Montessori

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 426 259 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 689
1989 416 285 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 706
1990 407 333 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 742
1991 428 283 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 715
1992 381 309 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 695
1993 359 311 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 675
1994 315 346 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 668
1995 245 334 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 583
1996 245 334 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 583
1997 219 335 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 559
1998 163 310 0 3 1 n/a n/a 0 477
1999 134 294 0 7 3 n/a n/a 11 449
2000 91 281 0 7 2 n/a n/a 0 381
2001 69 288 0 15 1 n/a n/a 0 373
2002 58 238 0 13 0 n/a n/a 0 309
2003 58 238 0 13 0 n/a n/a 0 309
2004 34 191 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 232
2005 23 172 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 203
2006 29 189 0 14 0 n/a n/a 0 232
2007 28 190 0 10 0 n/a n/a 0 228
2008 23 186 0 6 0 n/a n/a 1 216
2009 20 184 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 208
2010 25 155 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 185
2011 23 145 1 5 0 0 0 0 174
2012 33 134 3 4 0 0 0 0 174
2013 35 151 4 2 0 0 4 0 196
2014 68 163 4 4 1 0 3 0 243
2015 82 133 2 7 2 0 6 0 232
2016 115 101 1 9 3 0 6 0 235
2017 182 90 0 10 4 0 5 0 291
2018 244 88 0 9 3 0 10 0 354
2019 292 64 0 11 3 0 10 0 380
2020 307 51 0 13 3 0 9 0 383
2021 314 43 0 10 2 0 9 0 378
2022 299 36 0 9 1 0 9 0 354
2023 300 37 0 15 1 0 10 0 363
2024 275 28 0 19 1 0 15 0 338

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Murray-LaSaine Montessori

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 689 30.3 22.7 n/a
1989 706 31.9 22.1 n/a
1990 742 36.0 20.6 n/a
1991 715 35.9 19.9 38.2
1992 695 35.8 19.4 44.3
1993 675 34.2 19.7 48.9
1994 668 34.4 19.4 50.1
1995 583 31.4 18.6 57.8
1996 583 31.4 18.6 57.8
1997 559 30.7 18.2 61.4
1998 477 29.2 16.3 66.2
1999 449 28.9 15.5 69.2
2000 381 26.4 14.4 75.3
2001 373 26.9 13.9 82.6
2002 309 23.8 13.0 76.4
2003 309 23.8 13.0 76.4
2004 232 21.4 10.8 82.8
2005 203 18.6 10.9 78.3
2006 232 19.2 12.1 73.7
2007 228 29.5 7.7 64.5
2008 216 18.4 11.7 86
2009 208 17.4 12.0 88.5
2010 185 16.4 11.2 81.6
2011 174 16.0 10.8 84.5
2012 174 17.9 9.7 83.3
2013 196 18.8 10.4 84.2
2014 243 20.8 11.6 79
2015 232 22.0 10.5 60.8
2016 235 24.0 9.7 57.4
2017 291 20.6 14.1 100
2018 354 24.0 14.7 100
2019 380 27.0 14.0 100
2020 383 25.2 15.1 100
2021 378 25.0 15.1 100
2022 354 25.0 14.1 n/a
2023 363 23.5 15.4 36.9
2024 338 24.5 13.7 29.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Murray-LaSaine Montessori

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 689 30.3 22.7 n/a
1989 706 31.9 22.1 n/a
1990 742 36.0 20.6 n/a
1991 715 35.9 19.9 38.2
1992 695 35.8 19.4 44.3
1993 675 34.2 19.7 48.9
1994 668 34.4 19.4 50.1
1995 583 31.4 18.6 57.8
1996 583 31.4 18.6 57.8
1997 559 30.7 18.2 61.4
1998 477 29.2 16.3 66.2
1999 449 28.9 15.5 69.2
2000 381 26.4 14.4 75.3
2001 373 26.9 13.9 82.6
2002 309 23.8 13.0 76.4
2003 309 23.8 13.0 76.4
2004 232 21.4 10.8 82.8
2005 203 18.6 10.9 78.3
2006 232 19.2 12.1 73.7
2007 228 29.5 7.7 64.5
2008 216 18.4 11.7 86
2009 208 17.4 12.0 88.5
2010 185 16.4 11.2 81.6
2011 174 16.0 10.8 84.5
2012 174 17.9 9.7 83.3
2013 196 18.8 10.4 84.2
2014 243 20.8 11.6 79
2015 232 22.0 10.5 60.8
2016 235 24.0 9.7 57.4
2017 291 20.6 14.1 100
2018 354 24.0 14.7 100
2019 380 27.0 14.0 100
2020 383 25.2 15.1 100
2021 378 25.0 15.1 100
2022 354 25.0 14.1 n/a
2023 363 23.5 15.4 36.9
2024 338 24.5 13.7 29.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Murray-LaSaine Montessori

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $639 (5.5%) $563 (4.8%) $1,202 (10.3%) $8,209 (70.3%) $2,261 (19.4%) $10,470 (89.7%) $11,671
2020 $444 (3.7%) $511 (4.2%) $955 (7.9%) $8,806 (72.9%) $2,326 (19.2%) $11,132 (92.1%) $12,087
2021 $487 (3.8%) $410 (3.2%) $898 (7.0%) $9,624 (75.4%) $2,248 (17.6%) $11,872 (93.0%) $12,769
2022 $759 (4.5%) $788 (4.7%) $1,547 (9.3%) $12,147 (72.8%) $2,996 (18.0%) $15,143 (90.7%) $16,690
2023 $1,103 (6.2%) $1,155 (6.4%) $2,258 (12.6%) $12,265 (68.4%) $3,400 (19.0%) $15,665 (87.4%) $17,923

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Murray-LaSaine Montessori

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 341st of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 118th of 644 Elementary schools
 34.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)71.461.1
 10.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Charleston 01)51.859.2
 7.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)65.741.6
 24.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Charleston 01)58.261.3
 3.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)34.966.7
 31.8%
   4th Grade Science (Charleston 01)50.451.1
 0.7%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)45.289.8
 44.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston 01)52.463.1
 10.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)34.966.6
 31.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Charleston 01)52.954.2
 1.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)4585
 40%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston 01)43.561.5
 18%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Murray-LaSaine Montessori)32.562.5
 30%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Charleston 01)45.454.9
 9.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)45.444.6
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students380363
 4.5%
African American6437
 42.2%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian00
Hispanic1115
 36.4%
Pacific Islander00
White292300
 2.7%
Two or More Races1010
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%36.9%
 63.1%


Schools Near Murray-LaSaine Montessori









Frequently Asked Questions about Murray-LaSaine Montessori

Murray-LaSaine Montessori ranks 111th of 638 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Murray-LaSaine Montessori usually go on to attend:

Middle : Camp Road Middle
High : James Island Charter High

In the 2023-24 school year, 338 students attended Murray-LaSaine Montessori.

Students at Murray-LaSaine Montessori are 81% White, 8% African American, 6% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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