Santa Monica Montessori Institute

In 1960, a significant milestone in American education took root on the sunny shores of California when the Santa Monica Montessori Institute opened its doors, becoming the first recognized Montessori teacher education program in the United States. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Claude Claremont, a direct disciple of Dr. Maria Montessori herself, the institute set out to shape the future of early childhood education in America. From its inception, the institute was accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale and attained a unique authorization from the U.S. Department of Justice to welcome international students. This global perspective helped establish Santa Monica Montessori Institute as a beacon for aspiring educators worldwide, earning recognition from both the State of California’s Department of Education and the City of Santa Monica. Following Dr. Claremont’s passing, the institute evolved while maintaining its core principles, transitioning to becoming an Independent Charter Member of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Its influence extended far beyond California’s borders, as the institute played a pivotal role in standardizing Montessori teacher training across North America. The program’s academic rigor earned it special recognition from Loyola University, which accepts transfer credit toward a Master’s Degree in education. Perhaps most remarkably, the institute’s influence reached across the Pacific when South Korea sought its expertise to establish its first Montessori teacher training program. The institute’s training directors traveled to Seoul to share their decades of experience, spreading the Montessori Method to new shores. After seven decades of service, the Santa Monica Montessori Institute became more than just a training center – it became a "standard bearer" in American Montessori education. Its comprehensive curriculum, including unique offerings in school administration, prepared countless educators who went on to teach and lead schools across every state, creating a lasting legacy in Montessori education. The Institute is now an AMS Accredited Institute.