JPS Montessori Center

JPS Montessori Center is a small public Montessori school in Jackson, MI, serving 146 students in grades K-6 within the Jackson Public Schools district, where about 78% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school stands out as a relatively strong option within its district. While Jackson Public Schools ranks in the bottom 18% of Michigan districts, JPS Montessori Center outperforms the district average in 7 out of 8 tested subjects and grades. For example, 4th-grade ELA proficiency hit 47.8% compared to the district's 30.9%, and 5th-grade math reached 26.1% versus the district's 14.6%. The school has also improved its state ranking from the 19th to the 33rd percentile over the past few years. Notably, it is particularly effective for its low-income students, ranking in the 44th percentile for that group—higher than its overall rank. However, there is a significant gender gap: the school ranks in the 48th percentile for boys but only the 19th percentile for girls, suggesting it is struggling to meet the academic needs of its female students.

Compared to nearby schools, JPS Montessori Center outperforms its closest neighbor, Hunt Elementary School, in nearly every metric—4th-grade ELA proficiency was 47.8% versus Hunt's 23.2%, and 5th-grade science was 30.4% versus 10%. However, Sharp Park Academy, another district school with fewer low-income students, vastly outperforms JPS Montessori Center despite lower per-student spending ($15,677 vs. $18,262). The school also serves grades K-6, while most nearby elementaries end at 5th grade, offering families an extra year of elementary education. Chronic absenteeism remains a challenge at 31%, though it is better than the district's 43.3%. Test scores show significant year-to-year swings, likely due to small class sizes, so results should be interpreted with caution.