Waterford Montessori Academy

Charter School 191 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Waterford Montessori Academy (WMA), located in Waterford, Michigan, is a public charter school that serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Dedicated to the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, the academy focuses on cultivating independent, self-motivated learners. The school environment is designed to be student-centered, emphasizing hands-on learning, mixed-age classrooms, and individualized instruction that allows children to progress at their own pace while developing both academic mastery and essential life skills.

Beyond its core curriculum, Waterford Montessori Academy prioritizes the development of the "whole child," fostering a sense of community, social responsibility, and a love for learning. By integrating Montessori principles with state standards, the school aims to provide a supportive atmosphere where students are encouraged to think critically and explore their interests. The academy serves as a unique alternative to traditional schooling in the Waterford area, offering a structured yet flexible pedagogical approach that prepares students for future academic success and civic engagement.

191

Total Students

13.2

Full-Time Teachers

14.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

42.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Waterford Montessori Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	137
Hispanic	30
Black	9
Asian	3
Two or More	11
American Indian	1

White
137 (71.7 %)
Hispanic
30 (15.7 %)
Two or More
11 (5.8 %)
Black
9 (4.7 %)
Asian
3 (1.6 %)
American Indian
1 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Waterford Montessori Academy
Phone:	(248)674-2400
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	191
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	13.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	72
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	10

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 39

Grade 1 34

Grade 2 26

Grade 3 29

Grade 4 32

Grade 5 31