Historical merger between Hilton Head Preparatory and Sea Pines Montessori Academy

By Tracy Winslow
Contributor

Hilton Head Preparatory School and Sea Pines Montessori Academy have announced a historical merger between Hilton Head Island’s two oldest schools. The newly unified institution will operate as Hilton Head Preparatory School, with a dedicated Montessori-based division, Sea Pines Montessori Academy at Hilton Head Preparatory School.

Hilton Head Preparatory School is a co-educational day and boarding school on Hilton Head Island. The school was founded in 1965 by Charles Fraser during the development of Sea Pines Resort and was known Sea Pines Academy. In 1985, Sea Pines Academy merged with May River Academy to become Hilton Head Preparatory School. Hilton Head Preparatory employs a traditional style of education that focuses on teaching subjects individually with students working at the same pace in college preparatory programs.

Sea Pines Montessori Academy was built in 1968 by Charles Fraser’s wife, Mary Fraser, as the first Montessori pre-school in South Carolina. Montessori education is a method that integrates subjects and uses a self-learning model. Lessons are taught at the students own pace through play and hands-on activities in multi-aged classroom environments.

Students entering Hilton Head Preparatory School can opt into one of the two programs. Children aged fifteen months through third grade can enroll in either Sea Pines Montessori Academy at Hilton Head Preparatory School or directly into the Hilton Head Preparatory School. However, all students in fourth grade and beyond will be enrolled in the Hilton Head Preparatory School.

Hilton Head Preparatory School’s Head of School, Paul Horgan, will oversee the unified institution. He says the following about the merger, “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.”

The co-chairs of the Sea Pines Montessori Board, Kelley Stearns and Sydney Hitchcock, are equally enthusiastic about the merger. “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.”

The unification is part of Hilton Head Preparatory School’s five-year strategic plan. Sources say most parents are excited about the merger. There are a few Montessori parents, however, that are disappointed the program will now end after third grade instead of continuing through the traditional eighth grade Montessori curriculum.

Both institutions hope to make a seamless transition for parents and students opting to begin their child’s education through Sea Pines Montessori Academy as they join the rest of the student body at the Preparatory School, located next door.

Sam Bauer, the current chair of the Hilton Head Preparatory School’s Board of Trustees feels the merger is cause for celebration. “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.” The merger is effective immediately.

Tracy Winslow is the owner of the Low Country’s premier yarn store - Low Country Shrimp and Knits. Tracy has a degree in journalism, so it’s not completely weird she is writing a serious article. Although her writing is typically humorous about life’s antics and anecdotes in her humor column, Chaos on Fire.