The CMS Annual Benefit is the second fundraising initiative that CMS holds during the year. The Annual Benefit is an adult-only event for current parents, teachers & staff, and alumni & alumni families to join together for a fun-filled night out, all while supporting the students and needs of Chesapeake Montessori School.

This year, the theme of our Annual Benefit is “Exploring our Cosmic Connections”, a phrase inspired by Dr. Montessori’s quote above, and other writings on cosmic education. We have been focusing all year on the connections that our students have to their classmates and teachers, the indoor and outdoor environment, and the Montessori materials. CMS relies on our Annual Benefit as our major fundraising event to bridge the funding gap between tuition and the true cost of an excellent education. This funding gap is a reality for most independent schools. With two campuses spanning 10 acres, a shuttle service, and over 30 well-trained staff, fundraising allows us to keep tuition costs manageable and Montessori education accessible.

Our event will be held at the lovely Harbor Hills Yacht Club in Davidsonville, Maryland, in the heart of the Harbor Hills Community. The clubhouse looks out over the scenic South River and will provide guests with plenty of indoor and outdoor space to mingle and enjoy the evening. There is plentiful paved parking at the clubhouse.

The night will begin with a silent auction featuring a wide array of offerings from 30+ local businesses! Expect to see many kid, family, and adult-friendly packages, such as theatre tickets, sporting events, and birthday party packages. Our silent auction will also feature our always popular CMS Teacher & Staff Experiences, a chance for you and/or your child to have a special outing with one of our teachers or staff.

The evening will close with a live auction, led by a professional auctioneer. The live auction is a high-energy event featuring a crowd favorite: CMS class projects! These projects have been lovingly created by the students at CMS, and each piece is unique to the students and class. We can’t wait to see what was made this year!

Enjoy a full open bar all night, including a signature cocktail and many non-alcoholic beverage options. A delicious dinner catered by Bowl of Cherries catering awaits our guests, including passed hors d’oeuvres, main course, and dessert. There will be plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options available as well. Come hungry!