SPMA Quick Facts

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Status Private, non-profit 501(c)3
Year Founded 1968 – first Montessori school in South Carolina
Founder Mary Stone Fraser, wife of Charles E. Fraser, developer of the Sea Pines Resort. Read about our history
Head of School Darcie Patrick
Accreditation International Montessori Council (IMC)
Affiliation American Montessori Society (AMS)
Licensure South Carolina Department of Social Services
Location South end of beautiful Hilton Head Island, near Sea Pines Plantation
Ages Served 18 months—grade 8 (age 14)
Calendar Start/End Date New Preprimary students: August 25, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Returning Preprimary students: August 31, 2009 - June 4, 2010
First Year Primary students: August 31, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Second Year Primary students: August 27, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Kindergarten students: August 24, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Lower Elementary: August 24, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Upper Elementary: August 24, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Middle School: August 24, 2009 - June 4, 2010
Families Serving 159 children from 119 families
Classrooms 1 Middle School Room - 7th and 8th grades
3 Elementary Rooms – (2) Lower Elementary with 6-9 year olds and (1) Upper Elementary  with 9-12 year olds
3 Primary Rooms – 3 to 6 year olds
2 Preprimary Rooms – 18 months to age 3
Teacher/Student Ratio Preprimary: 1:6 ratio
Primary: 1:15 ratio
Lower Elementary: 1:10 ratio
Upper Elementary: 1:10 ratio
Middle School: 1:10
Facilities 9 classrooms, approximately 2 acres of outdoor play space, 2 playgrounds, 1 library, Studio of the Arts, Suzuki Piano studio, Suzuki Violin studio, Primary Art Porches, Outdoor Amphitheater
Authentic Montessori Curriculum Enrichment Preprimary: Tri-language by Immersion Experience (French, Spanish & English), music, art, gardening
Primary: Art, Music, Spanish, Suzuki Violin (age 3 and older), gardening, fitness, Chi Running (Kindergarten)
Elementary & Middle School: Art, Music, Chinese, Fitness, Golf, Suzuki Violin, Youth Opera, Tennis, Suzuki Piano, yoga, Chi Running, Steel drum band, Rock band, gardening, Jump Rope Team
Language Instruction French, Spanish and Chinese
After-school Programs Montessori Crew
2:30-6:00 pm for Preprimary and Primary students
3:00-6:00 pm for Elementary & Middle School students, Upper School clubs
Uniforms Only for Elementary Golf and Tennis Programs and Upper School Field Trips
Lunch Children who stay for lunch bring their own from home; parents supply classroom snacks on a rotating basis
Bus Transportation Larger class trips and golf & tennis lessons only on school owned vehicle