The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on San Tan Montessori School Inc. (89798)
San Tan Montessori School Inc. is an independent charter district in Maricopa County operating a single K-12 campus, San Tan Charter School. The district serves kindergarten through twelfth grade under a name that signals a Montessori-inspired approach, though the available data does not detail how fully that pedagogy is implemented across all grades. For families considering this school, the academic record, student makeup, and resource context offer a grounded picture of what to expect.
On state assessments from the most recent school year, proficiency rates varied noticeably by subject and grade level. In mathematics, the share of students meeting the state standard ranged from roughly a quarter of students in one middle-grade cohort to just over two-fifths in another. English language arts performance was generally a bit stronger, with several elementary and middle grades reaching near half or slightly above half proficient, though one eighth-grade cohort fell below that threshold. Science results, reported for grades five and eight, showed a similar split: a higher proficiency rate in grade five and a lower one in grade eight. When the district is compared against other districts across Maricopa County, its overall average proficiency across tested subjects and grades lands below the midpoint of the group. Only a single year of assessment data was available, so it is not possible to tell whether these results reflect a stable pattern or a point in time.
The student body is moderately sized for a K-12 school. White students make up the majority, followed by a sizable Hispanic population, with smaller shares of Black, Asian, multiracial, and Native American students. No data was reported on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners, so families will need to ask the school directly about the level of economic diversity and support available for students with special needs.
Chronic absenteeism stands out as a concern. The district’s rate of chronic absenteeism is above the midpoint among Maricopa County districts, meaning a larger proportion of students miss a substantial number of school days. This is a soft spot that can affect academic progress and school climate, and a parent may want to ask the school about attendance policies and interventions. Per-pupil spending falls in the lower range compared to county peers, which is common among Arizona charters and may translate to fewer enrichment programs or larger class sizes.
Because the district operates a single school covering all grades, families could potentially keep a child in the same building from kindergarten through high school, creating continuity across a long span of development. That same structure means the campus must serve the youngest learners alongside teenagers, a dynamic some families prefer and others do not. No recent district initiatives or policy changes were reported in publicly available sources, so the current operations appear stable. San Tan Montessori offers a K-12 charter option with academic outcomes that are below average for the county, a notable absenteeism challenge, and lean spending. It may suit families drawn to a Montessori-aligned, single-school environment, but those families will want to investigate academic supports and attendance practices further.
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