Mission Bay Montessori Academy

Mission Bay Montessori Academy is located in the University City section of San Diego on 18 acres, in a secluded setting, bounded by canyon and park.
Our purpose is to aid the development of the child to the fullest possible realization of the child's unique individual potentialities.
The Montessori Method is based on a child's imperious need to learn by doing.
It develops the whole personality of the child, not merely their intellectual faculties, but also their powers of deliberation, initiative and independent choice with their emotional complements.
Here at MBMA, we instill a love of lifelong learning.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 190 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $12,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Mission Bay Montessori Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-6
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Dual Language Immersion Program
Secondary Immersion Language
Spanish
Year Founded
1968
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
190 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
30%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Mission Bay Montessori Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
12 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Annual payment and 2nd child discounts available
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Tamara Goodwin
Admissions Associate
Catherine Jewell

Sports

Total Sports Offered
3 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
20 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Pre K Art, Pre K Dance, Pre K Play Ball, Pre K Spanish

Club or Organization:
Chess, Chinese, Coding, Cooking, Drama, Journalism, Robotics, Soccer, Spanish, Tennis, Yoga

Arts and Music Programs:
Art, Band, Chorus, Piano, Violin

School Notes

We are a Montessori school located in beautiful San Diego, CA with programs for children in preschool through 6th grade. Our 10-month school year runs from August through June, and we also offer a Summer Program. We have been in operation since 1968. Our goal is to help children reach their fullest potential using the Montessori Method is based on a child's need to learn by doing while developing the whole personality of the child. In addition to their intellectual faculties, we also help children build their powers of deliberation, initiative, and independent choice. Our elementary students experience facets of traditional education (testing, textbooks, and homework), which helps facilitate the transition to the next phase of their education. The academic accomplishments of our students are held in high regard by the private and middle schools in our area. We credit this reputation to our child-centered Montessori philosophy and curriculum.
  • 90+ percentile on standardized testing
  • Gold Standard MBMA Band with Elementary Chorus
  • Highly academic program complemented with weekly enrichment classes: Visual Studio Art, Music, Accelerated Math, Physical Education, Science and Computers/Technology
  • Spanish and Chinese language classes included in weekly curriculum
  • Diverse Extracurricular Afterschool Program featuring tennis, chess, journalism, coding, robotics, visual art, dramatic arts, yoga, cooking, etc.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Mickey Moniak - McKenzie Matthew Moniak (born May 13, 1998) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Moniak was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the first overall pick of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2020.
    • Bennet Kedrosky - MBMA is proud to announce that one of our own, MBMA alumni, Bennet Kedrosky, created a Twitter bot called Cal Fire Bot (@Calfirebot). This bot tweets California wildfire information in real-time. This is a useful tool created to alert people of fires and provide the opportunity to safely respond. “Each Twit will show three things, the description of fire, region, and the link to Google map for the exact location,” said Kedrosky. Another wonderful contribution to the community by MBMA alumni.
    • Dana Mathewson - MBMA’s Dana Mathewson graduated as a sixth grader in 2002. Years later, Dana competed in the 2016 Paralympics, and 2018 US Open Wheelchair Competition, and ranked #1 in US Woman's Wheelchair Tennis. In the summer of 2022, Dana along with another athlete won the wheelchair doubles championship at Wimbledon. Dana ranked the first American woman in her sport to win a Grand Slam title.
    • Michael Armstrong - Michael Armstrong is currently attending USC Thornton School of Music, after graduating from MBMA in 2007 and The Bishops School in 2013. Click the image to hear a sample from his debut album, "I Hope I'm Hearing Right".
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Mission Bay Montessori Academy cost?
Mission Bay Montessori Academy's tuition is approximately $12,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Mission Bay Montessori Academy?
The acceptance rate of Mission Bay Montessori Academy is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 84%.
Who are famous alumni from Mission Bay Montessori Academy?
Mission Bay Montessori Academy famous alumni include: Mickey Moniak, Bennet Kedrosky, Dana Mathewson and Michael Armstrong.
What sports does Mission Bay Montessori Academy offer?
Mission Bay Montessori Academy offers 3 interscholastic sports: Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball.
What is Mission Bay Montessori Academy's ranking?
Mission Bay Montessori Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Mission Bay Montessori Academy?
The application deadline for Mission Bay Montessori Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Mission Bay Montessori Academy located?
Mission Bay Montessori Academy is located in the University City neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 4 other private schools located in University City.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (3 reviews)
5  
Mission Bay Montessori has been a wonderful lifelong journey of my teaching career. I am also a mother of 2 children that are both alumni's of MBMA. They have both had a very well rounded quality education. MBMA not only offers a high quality academic program, they also offer extra-curricular classes such as music, art, computer, p.e, spanish and chinese. The environment is safe and the teachers are loving, professional and hardworking. My children both have fond memories of their elementary days at MBMA.
- Posted by
5  
Mission Bay Montessori Academy is a wonderful community that focuses on building a foundation for lifelong learning. The mix of traditional and rigorous academics alongside the Montessori material really allows teachers to meet students where they are at and cater to different styles of learning. As an educator, I highly recommend MBMA to families in the San Diego area!
- Posted by
5  
This is my second year working at MBMA and I do want to say that this school has high quality academic programs, rigorous curriculum and the environment is safe and positive! Extracurricular activities such as Art, Music, Spanish, Chinese, PE, Science and Computers are available for students to learn and explore. The staff are wonderful! We work together as a family and share our love and support to our students.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CA School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 190 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $12,000
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Diego, CA is $13,542 for elementary schools and $24,118 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in San Diego, CA is 86% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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