Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by cultivating curiosity, building community, and nurturing confident, compassionate learners through a strong academic foundation and whole-child development.
At Lester Elementary, a Montessori School serving students in grades 3–5, we are committed to growing learners who are prepared not only to thrive in middle school but to contribute meaningfully to the world around them. Guided by the Montessori philosophy and the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, we create an environment where each child develops the skills of communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through purposeful, hands-on learning.
In the 2024–25 school year, we refined our focus on mastering the academic fundamentals—reading, writing, and mathematics—as the essential building blocks for all other learning. We adopted a “back to the basics” approach with the forward-thinking goal of ensuring that every student possesses a deep, conceptual understanding of core competencies. This sharpened focus not only elevated achievement in math and literacy but also amplified students’ success in science and social studies. As students built stronger fluency in foundational content, they were better equipped to engage in inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary study. This shift has led to remarkable academic growth and a cultural transformation, where perseverance, personal responsibility, and pride in mastery became central to our school identity.
Every classroom at Lester includes both a Montessori teacher and a classroom assistant, ensuring a low student-to-adult ratio that allows for individualized instruction and consistent academic support. Our newly launched Literacy Lab gave students additional time each week to delve into novel studies, refine their writing voice, and develop a love of literature. Inclusion remained a cornerstone of our instructional practice, with intentional efforts to integrate and support students with Autism through co-taught classrooms, specialized support, and social-emotional learning.
Beyond the classroom, students participated in Mathletics competitions, mock trials, and science explorations that brought academic standards to life through collaboration and performance. Musical showcases—including band, orchestra, and choral concerts—as well as reading competitions created opportunities for students to demonstrate their growth and creativity across multiple disciplines.
Our academic goals were matched by an equally strong commitment to community and student wellness. We forged new partnerships with local schools and colleges to co-host events like chili cookoffs and college sports family nights. College athletes served as mentors, modeling dedication and resilience while inspiring our students to dream big. We increased our number of field trips to broaden students’ perspectives and connect learning to the world around them. We hosted our first community-wide “Lucky to Be at Lester” 5K and honored our beloved mascot, Teddy, with a student-led food drive for the local Humane Society—a service-learning experience rooted in empathy and collective action.
Teddy also played a key role in promoting mental health and emotional regulation, showing students that learning to care—for themselves, for others, and for their community—is just as important as academic mastery.
At Lester, we believe that joy and rigor are not opposites—they are partners in meaningful education. Through a blend of Montessori philosophy, strong core academics, whole-child practices, and real-world application, we are growing well-rounded, confident individuals ready for the challenges of middle school and beyond. Our students leave Lester not only with knowledge—but with the character, curiosity, and resilience to thrive.
