Montessori at Sandy Ford is the oldest established, private, secular school in the Catawba Valley, celebrating over 30 years of education, serving children ages 3-14.
The Directors, Mary Helen Cline and Kenyon Kelly, are certified by the Montessori Institute of America (MIA) and Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI).
Other staff members have received child development and Montessori training through the Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Montessori School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 63 students
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1981
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Campus Size
5 acres
Student Body
Total Students
63 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
13%
State avg.: 24%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
50%
Average Class Size
15 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Admissions Director
Becky Schell
Application URL
School Notes
- School Motto: Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.
Montessori at Sandy Ford is an educational community whose mission is:
- To prepare an environment that nurtures each individual's intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth;
- To work in partnership with families to guide students in becoming responsible, contributing members of their communities;
- To celebrate diversity and foster respect for life;
- To follow each child, providing thoughtful, challenging learning opportunites in an atmosphere of cooperation;
- To cultivate a lifelong joy of learning;
- by following Dr. Maria Montessori's practices, philosophy, and vision.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Montessori At Sandy Ford often compared to?
Montessori At Sandy Ford is often viewed alongside schools like Hickory Day School by visitors of our site.
When is the application deadline for Montessori At Sandy Ford?
The application deadline for Montessori At Sandy Ford is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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Popular comparisons: Montessori At Sandy Ford vs. Hickory Day School
People that viewed Montessori At Sandy Ford also viewed these schools: Tabernacle Christian School, St. Stephens Lutheran School, Hickory Day School, Mt. Olive Lutheran Child Devel and Christian Montessori School At Lake Norman.
The nearest high school to Montessori At Sandy Ford is University Christian High School (5.8 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Concordia Christian Day School (5.0 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Fairgrove KinderCare (3.9 miles away)
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(828) 256-9492
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Gr: K-8 | 136 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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2304 Springs Rd NE
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(828) 256-2166
Hickory, NC 28601
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Mt. Olive Lutheran Child Devel
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Rainbow Child Care Center of Conover Rock Barn
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(828) 468-5974
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(828) 324-9936
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Conover, NC 28613
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Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
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(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
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