History

Nestled in a quiet Key West community, the May Sands Montessori School is a unique learning environment.  We have the distinction of being the first charter school in Monroe County, established in 1997 by a group of dedicated parents eager to bring Maria Montessori’s well-proven methods of education to the island. While the vast majority of Montessori schools throughout the country operate as private institutions, May Sands Montessori does not charge tuition but relies on State funding, grants and donations to operate its programs. We are a high-performing, tuition-free school that offers an alternative to traditional education by providing authentic Montessori programming.  May Sands Montessori fulfills its mission through offering a rigorous – yet developmentally appropriate curriculum, by providing service to the community, and with a focus on peace education.