HISTORY: LMS began as a group of dedicated parents, teachers, and community members from E.C. Montessori & Grade School with a vision of offering authentic and free public Montessori education to as many children as possible in and around Beaufort, SC.  Community outreach resulted in over 700 letters of support, confirming that area families actively seek alternate public education options and demand for a public Montessori program is strong. Effectiveness of the Montessori Method, first developed over one hundred years ago by Maria Montessori, has been widely recognized by researchers and educators. Experiential and collaborative, it promotes and allows focus on individual needs and progress. The LMS charter received final approval on July 29, 2013, from the South Carolina Public Charter School District.