The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in English language arts. The lowest is 64% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hermosa Montessori Charter School (4426)
Hermosa Montessori Charter School is a single-school charter district in Pima County serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It operates as a public charter using the Montessori approach, a pedagogical method that emphasizes self-directed learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on work. The school has been running consistently with this model for decades, and publicly reported information shows no recent curriculum overhauls, property-tax measures, or other changes that would shift the experience for families.
Academically, this school stands out among Pima County's districts. On the state assessment for the most recent school year, the district’s combined proficiency rate across tested subjects and grades placed it in the top quartile of the county's districts. That overall picture comes from results that vary by grade and subject. In math, third and fourth graders posted strong proficiency rates, while fifth and sixth graders were more mixed. Results for seventh and eighth graders were suppressed because the tested group was too small to report publicly. In English language arts, third graders showed solid performance; fifth graders were somewhat lower; and sixth graders turned in very strong results. Again, seventh and eighth grade results were suppressed. Science results were available only for fifth grade, where a majority of students reached proficiency; eighth grade science results were suppressed. The pattern is one of generally strong achievement in the elementary years, with some variation, and a small middle-school cohort that makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions from state data alone.
One area a parent may want to explore further with the school is attendance. The district’s chronic absenteeism rate sits above the midpoint among Pima County's districts. That does not mean the school has a severe problem, but it is an elevated rate relative to many peers, and understanding what drives it matters for a family considering the school.
The school is small. Total enrollment is around the size of a single elementary school. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic share and smaller numbers of Asian and Black students. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals was not available, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners. Those gaps leave a parent without a clear picture of economic or special-education supports on paper.
Per-pupil spending falls in the middle range but the upper half when compared with other districts in the county, meaning the school is neither the leanest nor the most generously funded locally.
Because the school stops at eighth grade, families will need to plan for a high school transition after graduation. No graduation rate data apply here. No information on programs such as art, music, athletics, or extracurricular offerings was provided, so a parent interested in those areas would need to contact the school directly.
The school is located in Pima County, though the specific city or town was not listed in the available data. For families who value a proven Montessori curriculum, a small learning community, and strong academic outcomes in the elementary and middle grades, Hermosa Montessori Charter School offers a consistent, focused option. Those concerned about attendance patterns or the limited visibility into certain student subgroups will want to ask the school for more detail.
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