California Montessori Project-Shingle Springs Campus

Tucked into the foothills of El Dorado County, California Montessori Project's Shingle Springs campus draws families who want something a little different from a traditional classroom experience — think self-directed learning, mixed-age groupings, and a hands-on approach that tends to click especially well for curious, independent kids. Scores land solidly in the upper tier statewide, with science being a particular bright spot, which fits naturally with the outdoor-oriented, exploratory ethos of Montessori education. Shingle Springs itself has a laid-back, semi-rural feel — close enough to Sacramento for convenience but with that open-space, foothill lifestyle that families often move to El Dorado County specifically to find.