May River Montessori
60 Calhoun St
Bluffton, South Carolina

Effective Date: 9/5/25
 Last Updated: 9/5/25

Introduction

May River Montessori ("we," "us," "our," or "the School") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected from families, parents, and students. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you interact with our school, including through our website and enrollment processes.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including but not limited to:


From Parents and Families:

  • Parent/guardian names and contact information (email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses)
  • Emergency contact information
  • Employment information (when relevant to enrollment)
  • Financial information necessary for tuition and fee processing


From and About Students:

  • Student names, dates of birth, and ages
  • Academic records and educational history
  • Health and medical information (as required for school attendance)
  • Special needs or accommodation requirements
  • Behavioral and developmental information relevant to educational services


Communication Information:

  • Records of communications between families and the school
  • Preferences for receiving school communications and updates


How Information is Collected

We collect information through:

  • Enrollment applications and forms
  • Registration processes
  • Direct communications (phone calls, emails, in-person meetings)
  • School events and activities
  • Our website contact forms and inquiries

How We Use Personal Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:


Educational Services

  • Processing enrollment applications and maintaining student records
  • Providing educational services and supporting student development
  • Communicating with parents about student progress and school activities
  • Ensuring student safety and well-being


School Operations and Communication

  • Sending important school notifications, announcements, and updates
  • Coordinating school events, activities, and programs
  • Managing tuition and fee collection
  • Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Improving our educational programs and services


SMS Communications

When you provide consent to receive SMS messages, we use your phone number to:

  • Send important school alerts and notifications
  • Communicate urgent information regarding school operations
  • Share updates about your child's education and school events
  • Provide enrollment and administrative updates


SMS Consent: SMS consent is not shared with third parties.

SMS Terms of Service

By opting into SMS from a web form or other medium, you are agreeing to receive SMS messages from May River Montessori Inc. This includes SMS messages for conversations (external). Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. See privacy policy at https://mayrivermontessori.com/privacypolicy. Message HELP for help. Reply STOP to any message to opt out.


Information Sharing and Disclosure

We take your privacy seriously and limit the sharing of personal information to the following circumstances:


With Your Consent

We may share personal information when we have your explicit consent to do so.


Educational and Safety Purposes

  • With teachers and staff members who have a legitimate educational interest
  • With healthcare providers in case of medical emergencies
  • With other parents for directory purposes (only with your consent)


Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal information when required by law, including:

  • Compliance with court orders or legal processes
  • Reporting requirements to educational authorities
  • Child protection and safety obligations


Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist with:

  • Payment processing for tuition and fees
  • Educational software and platforms
  • Communication services (email and SMS platforms)
  • Website hosting and maintenance

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specified purposes.


Important Note About SMS

SMS consent is not shared with third parties or affiliates. Your consent to receive text messages from May River Montessori School is used solely for our direct communication with you and is never sold, shared, or distributed to outside parties.


Data Security

We implement appropriate physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Secure storage of physical records
  • Password protection for electronic systems
  • Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
  • Regular security assessments and updates


Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:


Access and Correction

You may request to review and update your personal information in our records at any time.


Communication Preferences

You can modify your communication preferences, including opting out of non-essential communications.


SMS Opt-Out

You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by:

  • Texting "STOP" to any SMS message from the school
  • Contacting our office directly
  • Updating your preferences in writing


Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.


Children's Privacy

As an educational institution serving minors, we are committed to protecting children's privacy. We collect personal information about students only as necessary for educational purposes and in compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).


Website Privacy


Information Collection

Our website may collect basic information through:

  • Contact forms and inquiry submissions
  • Cookies and similar technologies for website functionality
  • Analytics to improve website performance


Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.


Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on our website
  • Sending notification via email or SMS (if you have consented to receive communications)
  • Providing notice during the enrollment process


Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

May River Montessori
P.O. Box 2557
Bluffton SC, 29910
Phone: 843-757-2312
Email: office@mayrivermontessori.com


Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with applicable federal and state privacy laws, including FERPA, and telecommunications regulations governing SMS communications. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy protection for our school community.


This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date listed above and supersedes any previous privacy statements or policies.