Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Summary:

Isthmus Montessori Academy Public is a public charter school in Madison, Wisconsin, serving grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 208 students. The school follows a Montessori-based educational approach, emphasizing hands-on, self-directed learning.

While Isthmus Montessori Academy Public generally performs below the state average in English Language Arts and Mathematics on the Forward Exam, the school shows some strengths in specific grade levels, such as 6th grade ELA and 4th grade Social Studies. However, the school has a relatively high dropout rate of 7.1% and a high chronic absenteeism rate of 24.0%, which are significantly higher than the state averages. Interestingly, the school has a low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 7.21% to 11.67%, which is substantially lower than the nearby Metro School, which has a 68.42% free and reduced lunch rate. Additionally, Isthmus Montessori Academy Public's spending per student has been relatively low, ranging from $1,526 to $1,835, compared to the $30,839 per student spent by the nearby Metro School.

The Montessori-based educational approach at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public appears to have mixed results in terms of academic performance, with strengths in certain subject areas and grade levels, but generally underperforming the state average in ELA and Mathematics. The school's high chronic absenteeism and dropout rates, as well as its relatively low spending per student, raise questions about student engagement, retention, and resource allocation that warrant further investigation to improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public, Charter, Alternative PK, KG-12

 1802 Pankratz St
       Madison, WI  53704-4069


(608) 661-8200

District: Isthmus Montessori Academy Inc

SchoolDigger Rank:
728th of 1,061 Wisconsin Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $1,835 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  26.5 Help
Number of students:  208

Racial breakdown:

White:
69.7%
Hispanic:
14.4%
Two or more races:
9.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  7.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Isthmus Montessori Academy Public ranks worse than 68.6% of elementary schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.79. (See more...)
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Compare Details Isthmus Montessori Academy Public ranks worse than 57.6% of middle schools in Wisconsin. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.14. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 (69.7%), Hispanic (14.4%), two or more races (9.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 7.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public is 26.5. (See more...)
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Compare Isthmus Montessori Academy Public employs 7.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public is $1,835.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Isthmus Montessori Academy Public:

SchoolDigger ranks Isthmus Montessori Academy Public 728th of 1061 Wisconsin public elementary schools. (See Isthmus Montessori Academy Public in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Isthmus Montessori Academy Public 369th of 641 Wisconsin public middle schools. (See Isthmus Montessori Academy Public in the ranking list.)



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Rank History for Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 36.65 752nd 1067 29.5%
2024 39.79 728th 1061 31.4%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 19.91 778th 871 10.7%
2024 10.91 818th 866 5.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 44.69 634th 1010 37.2%
2024 41.56 690th 1011 31.8%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 32.59 745th 1011 26.3%
2024 30.90 772nd 1012 23.7%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 29.21 562nd 715 21.4%
2024 22.66 615th 727 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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Rank History for all middle school students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 59.71 236th 640 63.1%
2024 49.14 369th 641 42.4%
See the entire list of Wisconsin Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 38.11 385th 579 33.5%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 36.72 392nd 591 33.7%
See the entire list of Best Wisconsin Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Data source: test scores: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 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.

Isthmus Montessori Academy Public Test Scores
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Grades: 
  
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Data source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

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100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Open Quote This school is a heartbreaking failed experiment at the expense of the taxpayer, students, and the good name of Maria Montessori. Madison needs a public Montessori option, but only new leadership can save this endeavor, a school of chaotic classrooms, ignored student needs, and the repeated exploitation of countless young women staff, many of them women of color. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2019 185 8 4 3 0 0 14 0 214
2020 168 9 3 37 0 0 12 0 229
2021 174 12 3 36 0 0 15 0 240
2022 140 9 7 28 0 0 19 0 203
2023 145 9 4 30 0 0 20 0 208

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 Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2019 214 7.8 27.2 19.2
2020 229 10.0 22.9 1.3
2021 240 11.0 21.8 11.7
2022 203 11.7 17.2 9.4
2023 208 7.8 26.5 7.2

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 Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2019 214 7.8 27.2 19.2
2020 229 10.0 22.9 1.3
2021 240 11.0 21.8 11.7
2022 203 11.7 17.2 9.4
2023 208 7.8 26.5 7.2

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 Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,335 (83.7%) $260 (16.3%) $1,595
2020 $666 (43.6%) $860 (56.4%) $1,526
2021 $1,281 (69.8%) $554 (30.2%) $1,835

Data source: Wisconsin Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

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.

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students214208
 2.8%
African American89
 12.5%
American Indian00
Asian44
Hispanic330
 900%
Pacific Islander00
White185145
 21.6%
Two or More Races1420
 42.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients19.2%7.2%
 11.9%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Isthmus Montessori Academy Public

Students at Isthmus Montessori Academy Public are 70% White, 14% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

Isthmus Montessori Academy Public ranks 728th of 1061 Wisconsin alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 208 students attended Isthmus Montessori Academy Public.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

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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