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East Cooper Montessori Charter

Public, Charter Grades PK, KG-8

25^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 649 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 96% of South Carolina elementary schools

Summary

East Cooper Montessori Charter is a public Montessori school in Mount Pleasant, SC, serving 433 students in grades PK-8 within the Charleston 01 school district. This school has earned a reputation as one of the top-performing schools in South Carolina, ranking 25th out of 649 elementary schools statewide (96th percentile) for the 2025-2026 school year—a significant jump from 64th place the previous year.

Academically, East Cooper Montessori excels across all subjects and grade levels. In English Language Arts, proficiency rates range from 84.4% in 6th grade to an impressive 91.4% in 8th grade, compared to district averages of 65-69% and state averages of 56-65%. Math proficiency is similarly strong, ranging from 65.6% in 6th grade to 86.8% in 3rd grade, consistently beating district averages by 10-26 percentage points. The school also shines in science, with 87.5% of 6th graders proficient versus a 59.9% district average. Perhaps most telling is the school's remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.7%, compared to 20.5% for the district and 22.3% statewide—a strong indicator that students are genuinely engaged in their learning. The Montessori model appears to maintain student motivation through the middle grades, as 8th grade performance actually exceeds 3rd grade in ELA.

When compared to nearby schools, East Cooper Montessori holds its own against some of the region's best. It ranks behind Belle Hall Elementary (3rd), Sullivan's Island Elementary (5th), Mt. Pleasant Academy (8th), and Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary (16th), but outperforms James B. Edwards Elementary (36th) and Jennie Moore Elementary (32nd). It also far surpasses Charleston Progressive (278th), Sanders-Clyde Elementary (488th), and Memminger Elementary (430th). Notably, East Cooper Montessori achieves these results while spending just $13,022 per student—far less than schools like Charleston Progressive ($36,481) and Sanders-Clyde ($39,483) that rank much lower. With a favorable 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio and consistent 5-star ratings for nine consecutive years, this school offers exceptional value and a proven track record of academic excellence.

433

Students ?

14.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

20.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1120 Rifle Range Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

(843) 216-2883

District: Charleston 01

Racial breakdown:

White:

86.6%

Two or more races:

4.8%

African American:

3.7%

See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

Compare East Cooper Montessori Charter to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 86th percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Carolina average (83% vs 54% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% of South Carolina elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 10 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school83%

District avg63%

South Carolina avg54%

Elementary school

25^th of 649

South Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 4%▲ up 10 pts since 2016

From top 14% (2016) to top 4% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

10^th of 335

South Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 45Elementary Schools in the Charleston 01

21^st of 75Charleston 01 among South Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	94.4	25 of 649	96.1%	★★★★★
2025	87.6	64 of 640	90.0%	★★★★★
2024	89.3	61 of 638	90.4%	★★★★★
2023	90.6	53 of 644	91.8%	★★★★★
2022	95.5	20 of 625	96.8%	★★★★★
2021	97.4	7 of 622	98.9%	★★★★★
2019	92.0	39 of 643	93.9%	★★★★★
2018	93.0	35 of 624	94.4%	★★★★★
2017	88.0	51 of 639	92.0%	★★★★★
2016	82.6	87 of 619	85.9%	★★★★☆
2015	84.5	68 of 638	89.3%	★★★★☆
2014	85.7	46 of 630	92.7%	★★★★★
2013	87.8	30 of 599	95.0%	★★★★★
2012	87.4	31 of 594	94.8%	★★★★★
2011	87.8	31 of 597	94.8%	★★★★★
2010	85.0	55 of 589	90.7%	★★★★★
2009	80.5	81 of 580	86.0%	★★★★☆
2008	85.9	39 of 577	93.2%	★★★★★
2007	84.7	47 of 566	91.7%	★★★★★
2006	86.9	34 of 559	93.9%	★★★★★
2005	73.9	123 of 557	77.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	93.3	24 of 589	95.9%	★★★★★
2025	81.7	88 of 581	84.9%	★★★★☆
2024	84.9	76 of 565	86.5%	★★★★☆
2023	92.6	29 of 580	95.0%	★★★★★
2022	95.8	11 of 573	98.1%	★★★★★
2021	97.0	9 of 554	98.4%	★★★★★
2019	85.7	64 of 588	89.1%	★★★★☆
2018	90.7	41 of 570	92.8%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	61.3	46 of 91	49.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.0	70 of 101	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.1	56 of 82	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.4	67 of 105	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	68.6	39 of 109	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	74.1	25 of 147	83.0%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	91.8	32 of 583	94.5%	★★★★★
2025	88.6	49 of 586	91.6%	★★★★★
2024	87.1	60 of 568	89.4%	★★★★☆
2023	84.8	77 of 582	86.8%	★★★★☆
2022	92.1	37 of 579	93.6%	★★★★★
2021	93.4	30 of 561	94.7%	★★★★★
2019	95.5	11 of 590	98.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	84.8	46 of 454	89.9%	★★★★★
2025	78.1	84 of 460	81.7%	★★★★☆
2024	79.9	68 of 441	84.6%	★★★★☆
2023	82.2	63 of 463	86.4%	★★★★☆
2022	88.2	37 of 455	91.9%	★★★★★
2021	90.8	27 of 439	93.8%	★★★★★
2019	78.0	77 of 472	83.7%	★★★★☆
2018	82.3	69 of 457	84.9%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	97.7	10 of 335	97.0%	★★★★★
2025	96.6	13 of 320	95.9%	★★★★★
2024	96.6	14 of 325	95.7%	★★★★★
2023	99.4	2 of 325	99.4%	★★★★★
2022	99.0	6 of 310	98.1%	★★★★★
2021	98.9	4 of 311	98.7%	★★★★★
2019	97.1	13 of 315	95.9%	★★★★★
2018	97.3	11 of 303	96.4%	★★★★★
2017	91.5	23 of 317	92.7%	★★★★★
2016	90.8	22 of 303	92.7%	★★★★★
2015	87.0	27 of 301	91.0%	★★★★★
2014	95.7	7 of 291	97.6%	★★★★★
2013	94.0	8 of 276	97.1%	★★★★★
2012	94.9	5 of 271	98.2%	★★★★★
2011	86.9	18 of 269	93.3%	★★★★★
2010	85.0	19 of 261	92.7%	★★★★★
2009	83.0	29 of 249	88.4%	★★★★☆
2008	89.4	11 of 244	95.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	98.8	3 of 299	99.0%	★★★★★
2021	97.1	10 of 279	96.4%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	56.9	98 of 173	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	67.6	66 of 183	63.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	98.3	5 of 306	98.4%	★★★★★
2025	95.5	14 of 296	95.3%	★★★★★
2022	98.9	3 of 292	99.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	92.7	14 of 268	94.8%	★★★★★
2025	90.7	18 of 257	93.0%	★★★★★
2024	90.0	23 of 255	91.0%	★★★★★
2023	96.9	4 of 260	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	95.3	9 of 249	96.4%	★★★★★
2021	95.2	10 of 244	95.9%	★★★★★
2019	92.0	18 of 258	93.0%	★★★★★
2018	91.5	19 of 250	92.4%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Female (2026)96th percentile~ school

Male (2026)95th percentile~ school

White (2026)90th percentile-6 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)49th percentile-47 vs school

Middle school

Female (2023)99th percentile~ school

Male (2026)98th percentile~ school

White (2026)95th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2025)43rd percentile-53 vs school

By subject vs South Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts88%+27 vs state

Science83%+31 vs state

Mathematics77%+29 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, November 12, 2022

My child has attended ECMCS since 4k and is now in 5th. Overall she has had a wonderful experience the past 7yrs and academically her grades and test scores are above average. We are happy she will be able to attend here til 8th grade and think she will be well prepared for high school. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I am the parent of a seventh grade student. This is our fifth year at the school. ECMCS is a community. Expect something special and be ready to partner in excellence. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

My son attends first grade at ECMS and it is a wonderful school. He is receiving a top quality private school education in a public school. The principal Jody Swanigan is amazing, the teachers are well trained, and the classrooms are quiet and conducive to learning. Parents are very involved in the school and volunteer 40 hours a year. We are so happy and hope to send all 4 of our children to ECMS. Close Quote

Schools Near East Cooper Montessori Charter

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SC READY English Language Arts (2026)						SC READY Mathematics (2026)						SC READY Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 4th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 5th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 6th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 7th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 8th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 3rd Grade	SC READY Mathematics 4th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 5th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 6th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 7th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 8th Grade	SC READY Science 4th Grade	SC READY Science 6th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
East Cooper Montessori Charter	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	1120 Rifle Range Road	Mount Pleasant	29464	Charleston County	Charleston 01	Yes	No	No	No	(843) 216-2883	433	30	14.3		375 (86.6%)	16 (3.7%)	15 (3.5%)	6 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.8%)	94.4	25^th of 649 public elementary schools	96.1%		87.6	64^th of 640 public elementary schools	90.0%	39	86.8	89.1	89.6	84.4	88.6	91.4	86.8	71.0	75.0	65.6	79.5	80.0	80.0	87.5
Mt. Pleasant Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	605 Center Street	Mount Pleasant	29464	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 849-2826	630	38	16.5		539 (85.6%)	34 (5.4%)	27 (4.3%)	14 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (2.5%)	97.2	8^th of 649 public elementary schools	98.8%		96.3	14^th of 640 public elementary schools	97.8%	6	90.0	93.0	87.1				90.0	93.0	82.4				91.0		$17,083	$3,001	$1,208	$4,210	$10,908	$1,965	$12,873
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1565 Rifle Range Road	Mount Pleasant	29464	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 849-2838	767	48	16.0		654 (85.3%)	37 (4.8%)	38 (5.0%)	11 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.5%)	96.3	16^th of 649 public elementary schools	97.5%		96	16^th of 640 public elementary schools	97.5%		89.2	90.8	90.3				89.2	82.4	79.0				83.0		$17,714	$3,690	$1,252	$4,942	$10,424	$2,349	$12,773
James B. Edwards Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	885 Von Kolnitz Road	Mount Pleasant	29464	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 849-2805	767	53	14.4		621 (81.0%)	54 (7.0%)	41 (5.3%)	10 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (5.2%)	91.8	36^th of 649 public elementary schools	94.5%		88.6	58^th of 640 public elementary schools	90.9%	22	86.7	89.9	78.9				85.8	74.8	67.7				79.8		$18,901	$3,093	$1,237	$4,330	$12,082	$2,489	$14,571
Sullivan's Island Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	2014 Mike Perkis Place	Sullivans Island	29482	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 883-3118	497	35	14.2		452 (90.9%)	4 (0.8%)	26 (5.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (2.4%)	97.3	5^th of 649 public elementary schools	99.2%		97.5	6^th of 640 public elementary schools	99.1%	1	94.7	89.3	90.3				93.4	85.4	87.5				85.4		$18,897	$3,141	$1,245	$4,387	$11,870	$2,641	$14,511
Belle Hall Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	385 Egypt Road	Mount Pleasant	29464	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 849-2841	649	38	17.3		521 (80.3%)	63 (9.7%)	28 (4.3%)	20 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.6%)	98.3	3^rd of 649 public elementary schools	99.5%		98.7	3^rd of 640 public elementary schools	99.5%		95.5	94.7	96.2				94.4	87.4	91.4				87.4		$17,585	$3,232	$1,248	$4,480	$10,910	$2,195	$13,105
Daniel Island School	Public	K-8	2365 Daniel Island Drive	Charleston	29492	Berkeley County	Berkeley 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 471-2301	1,151	72	16.0		1,013 (88.0%)	30 (2.6%)	36 (3.1%)	22 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (4.3%)	96.7	10^th of 649 public elementary schools	98.5%		97.4	7^th of 640 public elementary schools	98.9%	3	90.8	91.8	90.6	85.1	82.4	84.6	84.1	86.2	76.3	81.4	78.1	77.2	85.5	83.6	$12,857	$487	$637	$1,124	$9,902	$1,832	$11,733
Charleston Progressive	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	382 Meeting Street	Charleston	29403	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 720-2967	184	21	8.5		2 (1.1%)	173 (94.0%)	3 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.3%)	54.5	278^th of 649 public elementary schools	57.2%		44.8	342^nd of 640 public elementary schools	46.6%	64	68.9	70.0	58.8				62.0	45.0	38.2				65.0		$36,481	$7,724	$2,465	$10,188	$20,136	$6,156	$26,292
Sanders-Clyde Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	805 Morrison Drive	Charleston	29403	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 724-7783	369	40	9.2		9 (2.4%)	326 (88.3%)	12 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (5.7%)	25.2	488^th of 649 public elementary schools	24.8%		26	480^th of 640 public elementary schools	25.0%	8	46.0	52.3	46.2				50.0	34.1	30.8				43.2		$39,483	$8,228	$3,738	$11,966	$22,862	$4,655	$27,517
Memminger Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	20 Beaufain Street	Charleston	29401	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 724-7778	438	37	11.8		221 (50.5%)	176 (40.2%)	11 (2.5%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (5.9%)	33.3	430^th of 649 public elementary schools	33.7%		30.2	450^th of 640 public elementary schools	29.7%	20	53.0	55.5	37.1				53.0	47.2	31.5				52.8		$26,342	$4,773	$1,844	$6,616	$15,297	$4,429	$19,726

Frequently Asked Questions about East Cooper Montessori Charter

What is the racial makeup of East Cooper Montessori Charter?

Students at East Cooper Montessori Charter are 87% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

What district is East Cooper Montessori Charter in?

Charleston 01

Is East Cooper Montessori Charter a good school?

Yes! East Cooper Montessori Charter is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 25^th of 649 South Carolina elementary schools.

How many students attend East Cooper Montessori Charter?

In the 2024-25 school year, 433 students attended East Cooper Montessori Charter.

Rate East Cooper Montessori Charter!

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Latest South Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresAug 10, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataNov 3, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 3, 2025

2024–25 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresSep 2, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.