Reviews of Sea Pines Montessori Academy (Kindergarten)

Sarah Baird

Thirteen years ago, my husband and I moved to the Hilton Head area specifically for our children to attend Sea Pines Montessori Academy (then Sea Pines Montessori School). We wanted our three boys to have a world-class Montessori education after seeing our friends’ children thrive in that setting all over the country. A neighbor in Lexington, SC mentioned SPMA to us as South Carolina’s oldest Montessori school and for us to check it out. Now, as our youngest son is in his last year at SPMA as an eighth grader, Eldon and I can validate that indeed our sons have received a world-class education for life. We have had our sons Ben, Chris, and Joey attend all the programs available at the time when we enrolled – Pre-Primary, Primary, Lower and Upper Elementary, and Middle School. Every classroom nurtured our children academically, socially, physically, and spiritually. SPMA offers unique programs in the arts (Suzuki lessons, school musicals, art classes), in science (forest preserve and beach trips), and in the humanities (Hilton Head history and Montessori Model United Nations). In addition, Sea Pines Montessori Academy gives students a physical fitness course like no other, with CrossFit exercises for all ages, along with tennis and golf throughout Elementary and Middle School. SPMA has team sports in cross country, basketball and golf, in which my sons have enjoyed and thrived. Now, as our oldest son is in college and middle son is in high school, we see the fruits of their labor pay off as they move on into adulthood. Our sons work independently with success whether it be schoolwork, internships, or life on their own away from home. They have found passions in computer science, biology, history, current events, graphic arts, and team sports because of the amazing curriculum and faculty at SPMA. I encourage every family to consider Sea Pines Montessori Academy as a school home because of how its enriched our lives and those around us.

Steven Sugg

Three daughters have attended for 5 years. Outstanding philosophy of education; teachers that truly love what they are doing; academically challenging, yet fun learning environment. Currently offering pre-school through Middle School (8th grade) with age-specific application of Montessori principles of education. Truly an educational gem in the Lowcountry!

Nicole Roberts

When we moved to Hilton Head from Canada, we looked for a school that would not only provide outstanding academics for our 4 children, but would also provide them with opportunities to be well rounded and successful citizens of our community. We loved the fact that through an education at SPMA, our children would have access to an educational model that allowed them to progress through academic material in a manner and pace that suited each of them individually. In addition to this, we were excited that they have access to onsite piano and violin lessons, Spanish, a strong and diverse athletic program, Beta Club, musical theater, and a supportive school community. We currently have children enrolled in almost every level of the school from our 2 year old in the preprimary program, to our 10 year old in the upper elementary program. We are absolutely thrilled with every teacher our children have had the opportunity to be shaped by. Each and everyone of them has been extremely knowledgeable, invested, kind and caring. I know that our children are cared for and made to feel special by the teachers and staff of SPMA every single day. SPMA is our favorite part about living on Hilton Head, even more than the beaches! This school is a part of our family and we will forever be grateful for all they have done to shape our children in to the amazing people they are.

LatestColours

My daughter started at SPMA at 18 months and will be going into 8th grade next year. We did not necessarily start out with the intent that she be at the school this long, but year after year she continued to grow and thrive so we (and she) have never wanted to leave. At SPMA, the children learn through hands-on academic work; they learn to respect themselves and others; and they learn responsibility and independence. They also cultivate a love of learning! Academically, my daughter is above grade level in every subject, and she has been able to do this without having countless hours of busywork/homework. Socially, she is confident, compassionate, and outgoing; she is secure in who she is because of the respect and encouragement she receives at SPMA from the teachers and her peers. Recent examples of her academics/confidence this past year alone are getting chosen to speak at the United Nations General Assembly during Model UN in New York City; speaking at Harbour Town for the 50th Anniversary of SPMA; and getting elected as Town Manager at HHI Student Government Day. Also, through the school’s wonderful Suzuki music program, my daughter has learned to play the violin. Starting out in pre-primary playing on a foam-a-lin and now playing on a full-sized violin; starting out playing twinkle, twinkle and now playing complicated classical music pieces. Our family feels so fortunate that our daughter has been able to go to SPMA from start to finish! We are secure in the knowledge that SPMA has given her the strong foundation she needs to succeed academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.

William Kingsbury

A critical component of our planning process in our move to the HHI area was the education of our, then, nine year old daughter. We were familiar with the Montessori model and believed strongly that the focus on individual learning combined with the nurturing environment was important. Our daughter has attended Sea Pines Montessori Academy now for more than four years and we could not be more pleased with the classroom instruction and especially the leadership at SPMA. Our daughter has thrived in this educational environment and now that she is in middle school those values we believed to be important are even more critical. We also love the focus on Athletics and the opportunity for kids to experience amazing coaching in such sports as Cross-Country, Basketball, and Golf. Sea Pines Montessori Academy has been a true blessing for us and the education of our daughter.

Elise Wiseman

When our family began at SPMA our oldest son was three years old. Now, ten years later with two children at SPMA, we can honestly say it has been one of the best investments in our children’s futures. Both our children have thrived at SPMA in countless and different ways: academically, athletically, in fine arts, in leadership, in compassion and respect for others, in gaining a sense of community stewardship, all while creating enduring friendships. During middle school, at a time when some students may experience peer pressure and may struggle with their self-confidence, my oldest son is supported by his peers, encouraged to lead, and has no problems speaking confidently in and outside of the classroom. The diverse education he receives is grounded in challenging academics, yet balanced by curriculum including daily meditation and participating in Montessori Model United Nations in New York City, an experience like no other, with children from all over the world. Who would have thought on a twelve mile island we would have an opportunity to give our children such a wonderful education that is providing the bedrock for becoming engaged young adults? What a blessing!

rick culbreth

Having grown up in the area, I have always been impressed with the reputation of Sea Pines Montessori. However, I have never had the opportunity to personally experience the school until my daughter became eligible for the pre-primary classroom. As part of our school selection process, my wife and I visited a handful of schools before selecting SPMA. The comfort we had with the tour, the facility, and the staff was unmatched. As we have watched her grow and embrace the Montessori Method, we continue to be amazed at her progress. When our son was born, we were excited for him to share in the experience. With two children and four years invested in the school, we have the opportunity and time to share in different components of the Montessori curriculum. Each facet of the education continues to impress us and ultimately provides the enrichment opportunities that are simply not available elsewhere. We are so grateful to have selected SPMA and now understand first-hand why the school has such an excellent reputation.

Martin Pettigrew

Great school with a strong staff that really cares about the environment kids grow. Highly recommended for anyone csn send their kids so they can have opportunity to learn more critical thinking skills.

Kelley Stearns

As I sit here writing this, our daughter just completed her first year at Sea Pines Montessori's Pre-Primary Program and we couldn’t be any more happy with how this year went! Sending Sophie to SPMA and exposing her to this academic environment at a young age was the best decision we made this year. It was a big transition having her be away from us so finding the “right” fit where we would be confident that she would be surrounded by caring individuals that would help her grow as an individual was of the utmost importance. From day one we knew she was in the right place! The entire staff including her amazing teachers made us all feel welcome and part of the SPMA family from the moment Sophie started. Everyone immediately knew Sophie’s name and made her feel special every day we dropped her off. All of the Pre-Primary teachers, led by Ms. Bass, were extremely knowledgeable and showed such passion for the children! It made us confident that we had found an environment for Sophie that she would thrive in, and most importantly be well cared for! Having teachers that you know truly care for your children was a big factor for us. They were also valuable resources on many development and parenting questions we had throughout the year, as we wanted to create a consistent environment. To this day it amazes us how far Sophie has come this year. She has developed so many skills, learned to make friends and interact with her peers, shown interest in music and art, and has been exposed to an amazing Montessori curriculum! I remember one of the first times I went and watched the classroom, I could not even believe they had over ten one year old’s sitting at a table eating and drinking like they were little adults! We look forward to Sophie continuing at Sea Pines Montessori and sending our son next year. We are so happy to be a part of the SPMA family and are so grateful for all of the teachers and staff that will make a positive impact on our children’s lives! We can’t thank them enough!