Montessori Certifications

AMI Certification

Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)

Maria Montessori founded AMI in 1929 with her son Mario, and the association is still based in Amsterdam. AMI trains teachers through its own network of training centers and awards a diploma for each age level.

Key Features

• Courses taught by trainers that AMI itself prepares
• Courses in many countries and languages
• Final exams with examiners appointed by AMI

Diploma Levels

• Assistants to Infancy (0 to 3)
• Primary (3 to 6)
• First Plane (0 to 6)
• Elementary (6 to 12)
• Adolescent (12 to 18)

Source: AMI teacher training

AMS Certification

American Montessori Society (AMS)

Nancy McCormick Rambusch founded AMS in 1960. It is a membership organization based in the United States that affiliates teacher education programs, issues teacher credentials and accredits schools. In the US Department of Education’s 2021-22 private school survey, 1,260 private schools reported AMS membership and 591 reported AMI membership (NCES, Table 14).

Credential Types

• Full credential, which requires a bachelor’s degree
• Associate credential, for candidates with a high school diploma or GED, offered only at the Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood levels

Credential Levels

• Infant & Toddler (birth to 3)
• Early Childhood (2.5 to 6)
• Elementary I (6 to 9), Elementary II (9 to 12) and Elementary I-II (6 to 12)
• Secondary I (12 to 15) and Secondary I-II (12 to 18)
• Administrator, plus a Montessori Inclusion Endorsement

Source: AMS, Become a Montessori Educator

Other Montessori Organizations

Accreditation of Teacher Training

The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), founded in 1995, accredits Montessori teacher education programs. It does not accredit schools. MACTE is recognized by the US Department of Education.

Tip. MACTE’s directory of accredited programs is a quick way to check a training course.

Organizations Recognized by MACTE

Besides AMI and AMS, MACTE lists these groups among the organizations that guide the teacher education programs they work with (MACTE):

• International Montessori Council (IMC)
• Pan American Montessori Society (PAMS)
• Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI)
• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS)

National and Regional Organizations

• Montessori Canada, formerly the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA), which accredits Montessori schools in Canada
• Montessori Australia, the national peak body for Montessori education in Australia
• Indian Montessori Foundation, an AMI affiliated society that promotes Montessori education in India
• Montessori Europe, an association whose members include Montessori schools and groups across Europe

Independent Montessori Schools

Understanding Independent Schools

Good to Know. A school does not need AMI or AMS ties to call itself Montessori, because the name is not trademarked and any school can use it (AMI/USA).

Some unaffiliated schools run careful programs and some use the word loosely. These signs help you tell them apart.

Quality Indicators

• ☐ Teachers trained through a recognized Montessori program
• ☐ A full set of Montessori materials
• ☐ Mixed-age groupings
• ☐ Long, uninterrupted work periods
• ☐ A prepared environment

Considerations

• Teaching philosophy alignment
• Staff qualifications
• Classroom observation opportunities
• Parent community involvement

Teacher Training Requirements

Basic Requirements

Educational Prerequisites

• An AMS full credential requires a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent
• An AMS associate credential requires a high school diploma or GED and covers only the Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood levels
• AMI training centers set their own entry requirements, so check with the center

Personal Qualities

• Strong communication skills
• Patience and observation skills
• Commitment to child development

Training Components

Academic Phase

• Montessori philosophy
• Child development
• Curriculum studies
• Material presentations
• Classroom leadership

Practicum Phase

• Observation hours
• Practice teaching
• Supervised work
• Mentoring sessions
• Assessment reviews

Final Requirements

• Written examinations
• Oral examinations
• Albums (the teacher’s own manuals of every presentation)
• Observation reports
• Teaching evaluations

The exact mix depends on the organization and the level. AMS says earning its credential typically takes one to two years, including a yearlong practicum (AMS).

School Accreditation Process

AMS and AMI review schools in different ways. AMS accredits whole schools. AMI recognition looks only at what happens in the classroom. Our guide to AMI vs AMS compares the two for parents.

AMS Accreditation Steps

1. Membership and verification: the school joins AMS, then AMS confirms it upholds five core components of Montessori education
2. Candidacy: the school applies and AMS approves it as a candidate
3. Self-study: the school reviews its governance, curriculum, finances, facilities and outcomes and sends a written report
4. Site visit: a team of peers from other AMS-accredited schools checks the school against AMS standards
5. Decision: the AMS Board of Directors decides, after review by the School Accreditation Commission

Source: AMS accreditation and the AMS Pathway of Continuous School Improvement

AMI Recognition

AMI/USA gives three statuses based on how many teachers hold AMI training for their level. Recognized means every teacher is AMI-trained and all AMI standards are met. Affiliated and Associated cover programs with fewer AMI-trained teachers. A consultant visits in the first year and every three years after that (AMI/USA).

What Reviewers Look For

• Qualified Montessori teachers
• Proper classroom environments
• A complete set of materials
• Mixed-age groupings
• Uninterrupted work periods
• Appropriate adult-child ratios
• Professional development

Keeping Status Over Time

• Annual reports or renewals
• Regular self-evaluations
• Follow-up visits
• Updated policies and procedures

Timeline & Costs

AMS accreditation typically lasts seven years before renewal. AMI recognition is renewed through a consultation every three years. Both organizations charge fees that change over time, so schools should check the current fee schedule on the AMS and AMI/USA websites.

Detailed Certification Information

AMI Certification Details

Read more about Association Montessori Internationale training, the organization Maria Montessori founded.

View AMI certification details

AMS Certification Details

Read more about American Montessori Society credentials and school accreditation.

View AMS certification details