A New Season for Our School
Sweetbay becomes Bay Grove Montessori School for 2023-24 School Year
As Ms. Theresa, our founding Head of School, prepares to retire at the end of this school year and we welcome Ms. Kimberly, our incoming Head of School, we are pleased to celebrate this new season in our school's growth and development with a symbolic update to our school's name.
Our founding name, Sweetbay Montessori School, represented the dedication and commitment of a group of Montessori families and teachers who carefully transplanted an orphaned seedling Montessori program from another school, nurtured it with love and hard work, and cultivated it into a thriving Montessori school. Our little Sweetbay seedling became a flowering tree.
As our local community grows and flourishes, so too will our school. Ms. Kimberly, with new incoming Lead Elementary teacher Ms Adeline, will lead our dedicated returning staff with a continuing commitment to providing an authentic Montessori education and fostering a love of learning for our students. In this new season, our flowering Sweetbay tree is becoming a Grove, with roots in our founding, a trunk strengthened by a solid Montessori core, and branches reaching out to embrace our current and future students and their families.
Our School
School Hours & Calendar
Children's House:
8:00 - 2:30 Monday - Friday
Elementary:
8:00 - 2:45 Monday - Friday
The academic year at Sweetbay is largely in alignment with that of the Walton County School District.
Founding of Our School
Sweetbay Montessori School originated when a group of Montessori families and teachers created a new home for an elementary program transitioning from another school. In response to local demand for more quality early childhood education options, the Children's House for ages 3-6 was added for the 2018 - 2019 school year.
Authentic Montessori Education
We are committed to the Core Components of Montessori Education established by the American Montessori Society (AMS):
- Properly trained Montessori teachers
- Multi-age classrooms
- Use of Montessori materials
- Child-directed work
- Uninterrupted work cycles
We are a Member School with AMS, and have embarked on the AMS Path of Continuous Improvement toward AMS Accreditation.
Our Name
Sweetbay Magnolia
Sweetbay Magnolias (Magnolia virginiana) are cousins of southern magnolias and are found in several indigenous plant communities in Walton County, including the small copse of native trees in our play yard. They have beautiful white flowers with a vanilla scent and are distinguished by their bright red seed pods.
Photo source: Georgia Native Plant Society
Our Campus
Location
Indoor Classrooms
Outdoor Space
Our school is conveniently located between South Walton and Freeport off US 331 - just 7 minutes north of US 98 and 7 minutes from the center of Freeport.
Outdoor Space
Indoor Classrooms
Outdoor Space
Our natural play yard includes a lunch/work deck, sand play areas, organic gardens, and a copse of native trees. Outdoor work and play are an integral part of each school day.
Indoor Classrooms
Indoor Classrooms
Indoor Classrooms
Our schoolhouse has spacious classrooms filled with natural light. Shelves of Montessori work line the open concept spaces and invite the students to learn through exploration.