A Quality Education Starts at Sea Pines
SPMA excels at educating children in a social, community-oriented environment.
Admissions Process
You'll Find Everything You Need to Learn About the Application Process and Tuition. Financial Assistance is Available to Those Who Qualify. We are Committed to Providing an Inclusive and Open Environment Regardless of Race, Biological Gender, Gender Identity, Sex, or Socioeconomic Status.
Schedule a tour with the Admissions Director.
Submit an application and $100 application fee.
The student is invited for an exploration visit with an appropriate level teacher and/or Head of School.
We will notify the parents of acceptance. If any classroom is full the applicant will be placed in the wait pool.
Parents complete an initial campus tour and classroom observation without the student. Student visits happen at a later point when the student explores the environment.
The Enrollment Process
We are honored that you are interested in Sea Pines Montessori Academy for your child. The admissions process is quite simple. Please schedule a tour with our Admissions Director. After the tour, an application will be sent to you to complete. If you have any questions, you can call the school and ask for the Admissions Director at (843) 785-2534.
A completed application form, including the non-refundable Application Fee of $100, must be submitted before a classroom visit can be made.
Applications are accepted year-round based on availability, and it is to the student’s advantage to apply as soon as possible. The school has an open enrollment policy whereby students may enroll during the year if space is available. If space is not available, applications are kept on file.
Age Requirements
Age groupings are based on a child's age on September 1st. This is required by South Carolina. Applicants to our Pre-primary Program must be 15 months of age and walking on their first day of school.
Student Exploration Visit
Each child will have the opportunity to tour the school as part of the admission process. The child has a “visit” as part of his or her familiarization with the school and our familiarization with the child. School personnel will take the opportunity to assess your child for school during this visit.
Parent Campus Tour & Classroom Observation
Tours of the school campus are by appointment. During the tour, information is provided about the history of the school and the Montessori Method. While on the tour, we welcome questions and answers. Our initial tours are for adults only.
Depending on the classroom’s schedule, you may be able to also observe a classroom after the tour. Plan for a minimum of 30 minutes (longer if you'd like!). Seeing the students work in the classroom is truly the best part of what we do!
Notification of Acceptance
Families will be notified of student acceptance at the end of the admission process. If accepted, the family will receive the necessary paperwork to complete enrollment. In February, re-enrollment forms are sent to currently enrolled students. By March 1, vacancies for the next school year are filled by applicants in the waiting pool ready to be admitted.
The admissions process continues throughout the year. If a program is full, the family is given a spot on our wait pool.
Orientation
All new students who apply and are accepted prior to May 1 will be scheduled for a classroom orientation visit in May. New students are also invited to a social over the summer.
Financing A Montessori Education
SPMA is a non-profit 501c(3) organization with tuition as the primary source of funding. However, we are committed to making a high-quality authentic Montessori experience accessible to all members of the community through our financial aid program.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is granted yearly and must be reapplied for each year.
Click here for instructions on how to apply. Financial Aid Form Please make sure to upload the required documents.
Financial assistance for students age 4 and younger can also be found at the SC Child Care Scholarship Program.
SPMA participates in the SC Education Trust Fund Scholarship program for qualifying families with children in grades K - 6. Click here for more information or to apply.
If you qualify you may use both programs to help with the cost of tuition.
For additional assistance or information on how To Apply for Financial Aid please contact our Admission Director at financialaid@spma.com
Future Scholar 529 Plan
Did you know private school tuition in South Carolina is tax deductible through a 529 plan?
A 529 plan is an investment account that can help you save over time for the high cost of education. 529 plans are sponsored by individual states. These savings investment vehicles provide tax advantages when funds are used for qualified expenses. In South Carolina, families may withdraw up to $10,000 a year per beneficiary tax-free to cover K-12 tuition at public, private or religious elementary or secondary schools.
