The Montessori Learning Center of Fort Walton Beach has announced its first annual “Building the Future Together” fundraising event to kickstart their campaign to build a new, larger campus to serve more students.
- This event on October 6th at WaterVue in downtown Fort Walton Beach will bring together alumni and supporters to help raise funds toward the school’s goal of $800,000 for a down payment on their new building.
For over 40 years, the Montessori Learning Center has provided unique alternative education to children in Fort Walton Beach. Founded in 1978 by local families passionate about the Montessori philosophy, the school has moved locations over the years as it continued to grow.
Currently located at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, the school now serves over 60 students in preschool and kindergarten, and over 25 students in their elementary program which offers 1st through 3rd grade.
In March 2024, Montessori will purchase the land next to the Emerald Coast Science Center on Memorial Parkway from the City of Fort Walton Beach for $525,000. Here they plan to build an approximately 14,000 square foot facility with 8 classrooms, a library, indoor and outdoor play spaces, and other amenities to allow them to expand up to 200 students. The total cost is estimated at $2.8 million.
Parent and school board member Morgan Smith explained that the annual fundraising event aims to raise money as well as build community outreach, since the school’s success relies heavily on community support.
- “Montessori has not only survived but thrived in Fort Walton Beach for over 40 years,” Smith said. “As an alum myself, it’s amazing to see an alternative school thriving for so long in such a small town.”
The October 6th event will feature dinner, drinks, live music, and a unique raffle. Tickets are $125 and include entry into a “drawdown” raffle with prizes of varying values. The grand prize is a 5-night stay valued at $9,800 donated by local business owner (and former board President at Montessori) Glenn Shelley. There will also be a silent auction for other prize donations.
- Culinary Catering 365 and The Drifting Oyster are partnering to provide food and oysters.
Longtime supporter Mark Barrett of Design-Build Systems in Fort Walton Beach created the building plans (at no cost to the school) and will be unveiled at the event. This will be the first time that the community will get a chance to see what the future “forever home” will look like.
The school hopes to sell 200 event tickets to raise significant funds toward their building campaign. “We’ll be selling tickets until we sell out,” Smith explained. “I’d recommend buying in advance, but we may also sell at the door if we don’t hit capacity.”
With strong community support, the Montessori Learning Center hopes this annual event will help fund their forever home and allow them to continue providing unique Montessori education to Fort Walton Beach families for another 40 years and beyond.