Countryside Montessori Academy

Countryside Montessori Academy is a public charter school in Land O' Lakes, FL, serving 357 students in grades 1-8 within the Pasco school district, offering a unique Montessori education in a small, close-knit setting.

This school stands out for its exceptionally small class sizes, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, which is much lower than nearby schools like Veterans Elementary School (16.8:1) and Bexley Elementary School (14.3:1). It also boasts very low chronic absenteeism at 16.3%, well below the district average of 29.2%. A major highlight is its exceptional performance in advanced middle school subjects, with 96% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and 97% in Civics—far exceeding state averages. However, the school has experienced a notable decline in its state ranking over the past four years, dropping from the 95th percentile to the 66th percentile. While it still outperforms district and state averages in most areas, it now faces strong competition from other high-performing schools in the area, such as Sanders Memorial Elementary School, which has a higher state ranking (90th percentile) despite larger class sizes.

An interesting academic pattern at Countryside Montessori is a "dip" in math proficiency during middle grades: scores are high in 3rd grade (87%), drop in 5th and 6th grades (57% and 53%), then surge again in 7th and 8th grades (86% and 87%). This U-shaped curve is unique among nearby schools and may reflect the Montessori curriculum's approach to abstract math concepts. The school also serves students through 8th grade, unlike most area elementary schools that end at 5th grade, allowing for a continuous educational experience. While the school's per-student spending ($9,563) is in the middle of the pack, its performance is not directly tied to spending, as schools like Imagine School At Land O' Lakes achieve higher rankings with lower spending ($8,487 per student).