East Cooper Montessori named a News 2 Cool School
East Cooper Montessori is a public charter school, serving students from preschool through 8th grade.
ECMCS began in 2003 with 44 students in a small facility. In 2015, the school partnered with Charleston County School District to move into a bigger facility and now serves 450 students.
Jody Swanigan has been the principal of East Cooper Montessori since its opening. She says, 'East Cooper Montessori is really a success story. Parents in 2003 got together to open a public Montessori school, and here we are 22 years later, and it's a really cool school to go to.'
East Cooper Montessori integrates the Montessori educational philosophy with state and national academic standards.
Principal Swanigan says the school's mission emphasizes academic excellence, lifelong learning, and community stewardship.
'Montessori programs really hang their hat on social emotional growth of kids, which then allows them to participate, and really gain from the academic experience the teachers give to them. I think any time someone crosses the threshold of a Montessori school, whether it be East Cooper Montessori or another one, you just cannot unsee what it looks like to see students being independent, engaging in their academics, and really driving their own learning plans,' she said.
According to the American Montessori Society, there are five core components of Montessori education: trained Montessori teachers; multi-age classrooms; Montessori materials; child-directed work; and uninterrupted work periods.
Montessori school leaders say this fosters a learning environment that emphasizes individual pace, freedom of choice, and the development of a strong sense of independence.
'It's been great being able to be in the same class for three to two years. It's amazing because you're with the teachers for a long time, and you form bonds with them. I think you learn differently when you get to make your own decisions, and I think everything that we learn differently is going to help later on in life,' said sixth-grade student Amelia Walton.
The experience provides hands-on learning, inter-disciplinary studies, and a focus on STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. STEM teacher Julia Youells says, 'We're using Ozobots and we have Bluetooth connected them to iPads, and they are using block coding. I created some challenges, and I purposely put some right angles, acute, and obtuse angles in there, so they would have to use measurement tools and complete the challenges. So they are working on coding, collaboration, and math skills.'
East Cooper Montessori Charter School has an excellent academic track record, with a focus on global education through the Montessori Model United Nations and the World Peace Game.
The school also offers programs in the arts and athletics, and they are in the process of building a gym. Swanigan says, 'We've been fundraising for about two years and need about three million more dollars.'
They also offer environmental education, providing a well-rounded experience for their students. Sixth-grade student Talon Rainwater says, 'It's amazing to be here, because first of all, you can learn at your own pace. You don't have to worry as much about anxiety or anything like that, you are more free here than other places I've seen. When you're walking into the school, it's less of a school, it's more of a community. You can feel it's your house. You can feel like you're welcome there. You really are welcome there.'
Lower Elementary Teacher Sarah Ramsey says, 'East Cooper Montessori is so special because it embodies the vision of Maria Montessori herself. The greatest gift we can give children is the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence. At our school, our children are responsible for their classroom and work plan, and their independent in their choice of work and moving about the school. I love working at East Cooper Montessori School. My three children attended East Cooper Montessori School, and I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community.'
Principal Swanigan says, East Cooper Montessori is a Cool School because the charter aspect of it allows us to really focus on the children in this building, and there is no ceiling to education. I just want to thank all of our teachers, because it is the teachers in the building that make a difference, there is a Montessori difference.'
East Cooper Montessori Charter School was recently recognized as 'Best Montessori School' in the 2025 Lowcountry Parent Mom's Choice Awards.
If you would like to nominate a Cool School, teacher, or principal, send an email to Octavia Mitchell at omitchell@wcbd.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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