Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS

Located at 1240 Randolph Street NE in Washington, DC, Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS operates as an open, independent public charter district serving an urban community within the nation's capital. As a single-school district structured as its own local educational agency for federal programs, the academy provides a tailored educational experience spanning Pre-Kindergarten through the 6th grade. During the 2024–2025 academic year, the school enrolled nearly 200 students, with a prominent emphasis on early childhood education as evidenced by robust Pre-K and Kindergarten participation. Reflecting the rich diversity of the surrounding metropolitan area, the student body includes significant Black and Hispanic representation alongside White, Asian, and American Indian learners, creating a vibrant, multicultural learning environment.

To support its child-centered Montessori framework, Shining Stars maintains an exceptionally strong staff-to-student commitment. The district's workforce comprises 39 full-time equivalent teachers, supported by 8 instructional aides and 60 support staff members, bringing the total professional personnel to 107 full-time equivalent positions. This concentrated level of staffing allows for low student-to-teacher ratios, targeted individual instruction, and comprehensive student support services across all early childhood and elementary grades. For parents seeking a specialized public charter option and researchers studying urban Montessori models, Shining Stars offers a compelling example of focused early-grades education in an active city setting.