The Darlington County School District is dedicated to educating the whole child while serving their individual, unique needs. The Montessori Magnet Program is held at Bay Road Elementary School in Hartsville and serves ages 3, 4, and 5 along with 1st-5th grade students.
Eligible students must be zoned to attend a school in Hartsville or their parent must work for Darlington County School District.
Online application for 2025-2026 school year is now closed.
Montessori Promo Video.movDr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator, acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally.
In Montessori classrooms, children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process.
A lottery will be utilized for placement in the Montessori Program in DCSD for all students. Parents will be notified of acceptance by Email.
Waiting lists will be comprised for all remaining applicants and maintained throughout the school year.
Proper documentation must be submitted to Bay Road Elementary School at the beginning of the school year for final acceptance.
The sibling procedure will only be honored if the sibling lives in the same household and if there is available space in that particular grade level. If there are no available slots in that particular grade level, siblings will be placed on waiting list.
Approved siblings are defined as a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother or stepsister, living in the same household. The sibling procedure will be honored if:
-One sibling is already a participant in the Montessori Program and will remain in the program and there are available slots in that grade level.
-Two eligible siblings apply for the Montessori Program at the same time, and one of the two is selected to attend and if there are available slots in that grade level for placement.