Montessori By The Sea is the first school offering both early years and primary education (Toddler – Grade 6) to attain a rating of “Excellent” from the Office of Education Standards in the Cayman islands. MBTS earned the highest possible rating of “Excellent” not only for the overall quality of its educational provision, but in every single category of evaluation.

MBTS is the first primary school, private or public, to attain this distinction in the Cayman Islands. MBTS underwent its inspection on May 11-13, 2021. A panel of four national and international inspectors observed in all programs and classes, spoke directly to students, staff and parents, and examined school documentation. The new Director of the OES, Mr. Nicholas Sheriff, also visited MBTS and met with the Principals, Ms. Debbie Thompson and Ms. Kourtni Jackson.

The May 2021 inspection report highlighted the following strengths of the school: • Students’ understanding of how to learn and their enjoyment in learning. • The Principals’ drive for continual development and the quality of improvement since the last inspection. • The curriculum and the opportunities given to students to follow and expand their interests, knowledge and understanding. • The independence and confidence developed in students through the skillful teaching, knowledge of each individual and the care given to both academic learning and their well-being. • The way in which the staff work as a team including the skillful co-teaching, the oversight of the curriculum and assessment model and the day-to-day administration of the school.

MBTS was last inspected in March 2019 and had received a rating of “Good” at that time. Since the 2019 inspection, MBTS actively addressed all recommendations made by the OES, always in a manner that stayed true to the school’s progressive interpretation of Montessori philosophy and methodology.

“We are very proud of this achievement, particularly as it was clear that the Inspectors truly understood and appreciated Montessori philosophy, and saw evidence of the benefits of the holistic education children receive at Montessori By The Sea… ‘Excellence’ was made possible by the support of our families, the willingness of our staff to incorporate the feedback received from the last inspection and work towards continual improvement, and our children, who challenge and inspire us to be our best selves every moment of every day… They are, and will continue to be, the force that drives us towards excellence.” expressed Ms. Thompson and Ms. Jackson, “This inspection report perfectly caps off MBTS’s twentieth anniversary this year!”

The May 2021 Full Inspection Report for Montessori By The Sea will be published on the OES website, and can also be found on the school website.Download File