Darlington County School District to offer early childhood Montessori Program in Hartsville
HARTSVILLE, SC - The Darlington County School District will offer an early childhood Montessori program at the new Bay Road Elementary School in Hartsville for the 2020-2021 school year. The program will serve 42 students, ages 3, 4 and 5 years old. Eligible children must be zoned to attend a Hartsville-area school and must turn three by September 1, 2020.
“Since my arrival in the Darlington County School District, we have focused our efforts on creating more education opportunities for our students across the district," said Dr. Tim Newman, Darlington County School District superintendent. "The Montessori program is one such opportunity that will give our students and their families another option on their successful academic path."
According to the American Montessori Society, “Montessori education is an approach to learning that honors the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive—and views the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge.
“Distinctive features of the Montessori method:
• Classes are multi-age (typically 3-year age span).
• Individual students follow their own interests while also learning from others.
• Time is given to enable students to explore and internalize concepts and ideas at their own pace while working toward individualized learning goals.
• Teachers serve as guides and mentors, systematically observing and assessing students’ progress and providing them with support/tools so that they may take ownership of their own learning and growth.
• Learning takes place across a variety of modalities: visual, auditory, tactile, etc.”
Parents who are interested in their child attending the new Montessori program can apply online at www.darlington.k12.sc.us. Applications will be accepted March 9 through March 27. The application window will close at 4:30 pm on March 27.
A lottery will be utilized for placement in the Montessori Program at the new Bay Road Elementary School for all students who apply. Parents will be notified of acceptance by email or follow up letter. Waiting lists will be composed of all remaining applicants and maintained throughout the school year.
For more information, please contact Marisa Johnson, coordinator of arts and innovative programs, at 843-398-2241.
To apply, please visit the online application website by clicking here.