Sea Pines Montessori Academy joins Hilton Head Preparatory Schooltory School
Sea Pines Montessori Academy Joins Hilton Head Preparatory School, Creating a Unified Educational Institution Serving Children Aged 15 Months to 12th Grade Hilton Head Island, SC – In a historic development for Hilton Head Island and the Bluffton community, Sea Pines Montessori Academy will join Hilton Head Preparatory School to create a unified educational institution serving children from 15 months to 12th grade. This landmark partnership between the two longest standing schools on Hilton Head Island will provide a transformative educational experience for generations to come. Founded in 1965 by Charles Fraser, a prominent figure in Hilton Head Island’s history and the founder of Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Preparatory School has been a cornerstone of the island’s educational landscape for nearly six decades. Just three years later, Charles’ wife, Mary Fraser, established Sea Pines Montessori Academy, which became a leading institution in early childhood education.
Together, these two schools have shaped the lives of Hilton Head Island’s early families and continued to serve as pillars of excellence in education. The school will operate as Hilton Head Preparatory School, incorporating and introducing a dedicated Montessori-based division titled “Sea Pines Montessori Academy at Hilton Head Preparatory School” for 15 months through 3rd grade, while continuing to serve students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.
An excellent Montesori education through the third grade will become a vital part of Hilton Head Prep, while the option to choose a traditional path will be continued from Kindergarten onward. This dual track program from K-3 provides an innovative curriculum offering that empowers families to select a personalized educational journey tailored to their children's individual needs and learning styles. Both tracks will seamlessly integrate for grades four through twelve.
The proximity of the two schools' campuses, located right next to each other, ensures a seamless transition as Sea Pines Montessori integrates into Hilton Head Prep. Sam Bauer, a 1984 alumnus of Hilton Head Prep and the current chair of the Hilton Head Prep Board of Trustees, reflects on this momentous occasion: "This partnership is truly historic, bringing together two institutions that have deep roots in Hilton Head Island’s legacy. We are thrilled to come full circle, uniting the Fraser family’s vision under one banner. This will be a game-changer for both current and future families in the community." Kelley Stearns and Sydney Hitchcock, co-chairs of the Sea Pines Montessori Board, shared their excitement: “The collaboration between our schools will provide an unparalleled educational pathway, guiding children from their earliest years through high school graduation. By uniting our strengths, we can uphold our cherished Montessori tradition while providing enhanced opportunities for growth, continuity, and innovation in a nurturing environment. We look forward to joining Hilton Head Prep’s vibrant community, which will create endless opportunities for our children as they progress through this outstanding program.”
Hilton Head Prep’s Head of School, Paul Horgan, who will oversee the unified institution, expressed his enthusiasm about the future: "This partnership is the culmination of a long-standing relationship between our schools. By bringing Sea Pines Montessori into the Hilton Head Prep family, we are enhancing our mission to provide a cohesive, world-class education from the toddler years to college preparation. I am honored to lead this initiative and confident that this will strengthen our community for years to come." This partnership aligns with Hilton Head Prep’s recently completed five-year strategic plan, ensuring that this transition will be both smooth and thoughtful. The plan provides a framework for a unified and forward-thinking educational program that will serve the needs of children and families from Hilton Head Island and the surrounding areas. As Hilton Head Prep enters this new chapter, this partnership honors the legacy of its founders, Charles and Mary Fraser, and reaffirms the schools' shared commitment to excellence in education.
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An excellent Montesori education through the third grade will become a vital part of Hilton Head Prep, while the option to choose a traditional path will be continued from Kindergarten onward. This dual track program from K-3 provides an innovative curriculum offering that empowers families to select a personalized educational journey tailored to their children's individual needs and learning styles. Both tracks will seamlessly integrate for grades four through twelve.
The proximity of the two schools' campuses, located right next to each other, ensures a seamless transition as Sea Pines Montessori integrates into Hilton Head Prep. Sam Bauer, a 1984 alumnus of Hilton Head Prep and the current chair of the Hilton Head Prep Board of Trustees, reflects on this momentous occasion: "This partnership is truly historic, bringing together two institutions that have deep roots in Hilton Head Island’s legacy. We are thrilled to come full circle, uniting the Fraser family’s vision under one banner. This will be a game-changer for both current and future families in the community." Kelley Stearns and Sydney Hitchcock, co-chairs of the Sea Pines Montessori Board, shared their excitement: “The collaboration between our schools will provide an unparalleled educational pathway, guiding children from their earliest years through high school graduation. By uniting our strengths, we can uphold our cherished Montessori tradition while providing enhanced opportunities for growth, continuity, and innovation in a nurturing environment. We look forward to joining Hilton Head Prep’s vibrant community, which will create endless opportunities for our children as they progress through this outstanding program.”
Hilton Head Prep’s Head of School, Paul Horgan, who will oversee the unified institution, expressed his enthusiasm about the future: "This partnership is the culmination of a long-standing relationship between our schools. By bringing Sea Pines Montessori into the Hilton Head Prep family, we are enhancing our mission to provide a cohesive, world-class education from the toddler years to college preparation. I am honored to lead this initiative and confident that this will strengthen our community for years to come." This partnership aligns with Hilton Head Prep’s recently completed five-year strategic plan, ensuring that this transition will be both smooth and thoughtful. The plan provides a framework for a unified and forward-thinking educational program that will serve the needs of children and families from Hilton Head Island and the surrounding areas. As Hilton Head Prep enters this new chapter, this partnership honors the legacy of its founders, Charles and Mary Fraser, and reaffirms the schools' shared commitment to excellence in education.
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