As the 2025–2026 school year comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year filled with meaningful growth, major milestones, and moments of pride. The strength of East Cooper Montessori Charter School lies in the synergy between our talented team of educators and the unwavering support of our families. It is this partnership that creates a lasting impact on the lives of our students—many of whom will spend the majority of their school years with us. Watching our students grow up in this nurturing environment reminds us daily of the great responsibility and privilege we hold as educators.
At the heart of ECMCS’s continued success is strong, visionary leadership. Our Governing Board deserves immense thanks for their steadfast commitment to our mission. Their focus on what’s best for students drives every decision made. We’re also deeply grateful to our Parent-Teacher Network, whose countless hours of volunteerism make many of our programs and events possible.
We began this academic year with statewide recognition for excellence in academic achievement at both the elementary and middle school levels. While the SC School Report Card focuses on tested grades (3rd and up) through SC READY, our school experience extends far beyond test scores. Satisfaction surveys tell a deeper story: 97.9% of our teachers, 94% of our students, and 95.6% of our families say they’re satisfied with the learning environment at ECMCS.
Using iReady as a national benchmark for academic progress, our 1st through 5th graders achieved impressive results. In reading, they reached 130% of their expected annual growth, with 78% performing at or above grade level. In math, students reached 92% of their annual growth goals, with over 71% at or above grade level.
Middle schoolers continued to demonstrate strong growth using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). In reading, 57% of students made significant gains—even as the vast majority already performed in the 80th percentile nationally. In math, 83% made substantial growth. We’re also proud of our middle schoolers who take high school credit courses. In Algebra, 95% earned a B or higher on the state End-of-Course Exam; all Geometry students scored a B or higher on their final exams. Every student enrolled in Spanish I earned a 3 or above on the nationally recognized STAMP exam, indicating high proficiency.
Our instructional model includes full-time coaching for both math and ELA, giving teachers ongoing support with planning, instruction, and standards integration. These coaches work side by side with teachers to unpack academic standards and bring them to life through the lens of project-based Montessori learning. The impact of this model is already evident and will continue to influence student success for years to come.
A few years ago, we set a bold goal—to make ECMCS as well known for its arts programming as it is for academic excellence. That vision is becoming a reality. Students now enjoy more performance and visual arts opportunities than ever. Highlights this year include the Madrigal Dinner, which led our Choraliers to qualify for Regionals with an "Excellent" rating, and a standout debut from our new Thespian Society, which also earned an "Excellent." Our Night of the Arts celebration featured a framed art piece for every student and performances across theater, music, and poetry. The 5th grade musical, Help, I’m Stuck in a School Musical!, was a crowd favorite, featuring 50 student performers, 15 staff members, and a memorable cameo from Mr. Laughton as the school principal.
Financial stability is another hallmark of ECMCS. Each year, we undergo a full audit by an external firm and consistently maintain sound financial standing. With the largest portion of our budget devoted to faculty compensation, we remain committed to attracting and retaining top-tier educators. Thanks to careful financial planning by our Governing Board and Financial Director Billy Koll, we’ve been able to meet—and exceed—local salary increases.
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In 2023–2024, teachers received a $5,000 raise, and non-teaching staff received a $1,000 bonus.
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In 2024–2025, teachers saw an $8,000 raise, and all non-teaching roles were adjusted to 100% of market value.
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For 2025–2026, we’ve matched another significant raise, positioning ECMCS and CCSD educators among the highest-paid in the state.
As we look ahead to the next school year, ECMCS is financially strong and deeply committed to investing in the people and programs that define our school. With a growing reserve, we’re ready to continue providing an outstanding education for our students and an inspiring, supportive workplace for our staff.
Jody Swanigan, Principal
Craig Johnson, SIC Chair
