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CCSD's Montessori Schools & Programs

What is the Montessori Model?

MontessoriThe Montessori education model debuted in 1907 with Maria Montessori’s first school, the Casa dei Bambini, which was part of an urban renewal project in a low-income district of Rome.

Montessori is child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. In the Montessori classroom, students work with specially designed materials, manipulating and investigating until they master a particular lesson.

In the elementary years, the child continues to organize his thinking through work with the learning materials and an interdisciplinary curriculum as he or she passes from the concrete to the abstract. The child directly applies this knowledge to real-world experiences. This organization of information—facts and figures—prepares the child for the world of adolescence, when thought and emotion evolve into understanding more abstract, universal concepts such as equity, freedom, and justice.

Trained and credentialed teachers are the foundation of Montessori education.

Which CCSD Schools Offer Montessori Programs?

MontessoriDuring the 2011-2012 school year, four Charleston County School District (CCSD) schools offer Montessori instruction.

During the 2013-2014 school year, James Simons Elementary School will offer a partial magnet program in the Central Zone.

 

Does My Child Qualify to Attend a CCSD Montessori Program? How Do We Apply?

MontessoriCCSD parents have indicated that they want Montessori education as an option for their children. As a result, the district is working to expand this kind of option throughout the district. All Charleston County residents are eligible to apply to and be entered into the lotteries for the choices listed above.

Please click on each of the schools to learn more about the application process. Please note that the application deadline for the 2012-2013 school year for Montessori Community School, Hursey, and Mitchell was December 2, 2011. The deadline for East Cooper Montessori was January 17, 2012.

Please note that as partial magnet schools, Hursey and Mitchell Elementary Schools have defined attendance zones but additional seats may be allocated to students living outside of the attendance zone including within the constituent district and throughout the county.

How Can I Learn More About the Montessori Model & How It Is Implemented In CCSD Schools?

Learn More About CCSD's Choice Offerings.

Return to the Our Schools Page.