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Your Regional Action Commissioners are here to help! Email Marie Conti at marie@amshq.org and she will connect you with your Regional Action Commissioner! THANK YOU for being an AMS member!

Use the RAC contact information to reach your Regional Action Commissioner. Your Regional Action Commissioner will help you identify organizations in your area or at the national level that can support you in developing a state organization. Email Marie Conti at marie@amshq.org.

The RAC was created by the AMS board in 2022 to support local outreach, bring more services and professional development to Montessori educators across the United States, help members feel more connected, and promote AMS membership.

Over a century ago, Italian physician Dr. Maria Montessori developed a child-focused approach for educating children, and it has been transforming schools around the globe ever since. Montessori classrooms are immediately recognizable. You will see children working independently and in groups, often with specially designed learning materials; deeply engaged in their work; and respectful of themselves and their surroundings. To see inside Montessori classrooms, visit this page. The Montessori Method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children and adolescents in all areas of their development—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical.

In 1906, Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian educator, physician, and scientist, who had just judged an international competition on the subjects of scientific pedagogy and experimental psychology, was invited to create a childcare center in San Lorenzo, a poor, inner-city district of Rome. There, she would be working with some of the area’s most disadvantaged, and previously unschooled, children. She opened the doors on January 6, 1907, calling the center the Casa dei Bambini—Italian for “Children’s House.” Dr. Montessori was determined to make the Casa a quality educational environment for these youngsters, whom many had thought were unable to learn—and she did. To learn more about the history of Montessori, visit this page. To learn more about Dr. Maraia Montessori, go here.

There are five core components of Montessori education: Trained Montessori teachers, the multi-age classroom, using Montessori matierials, child-directed work, and uninterrupted work periods. Click here to learn more about these Five Core Components of Montessori.

Unlike some private schools, which strive for very small classes, Montessori values the lessons of community that can happen when the size of the class is somewhat larger. A larger, multi-age class can encourage students to rely on themselves and their peers as resources, rather than going directly to a teacher for support first. Montessori classes at the Early Childhood level and above might include an average class size of 20 – 30 students whose ages span 3 years. All members of the community benefit from this configuration. Older students are proud to act as role models; younger ones feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead. And all children develop their independence as they problem solve with their peers within their classroom community. Classes for infants and toddlers are smaller, with typically 10 – 15 children. Often the teacher-to-child ratio for this youngest age group is set by state licensing standards.

The Montessori Method of education provides a nurturing, supportive environment for children of all abilities and learning styles. This includes children with disabilities and neurodivergences, including physical disabilities; learning differences in reading, writing, spelling and/or math; ADHD; and autism spectrum disorders. Children learn in multi-age classes, with the same teacher, for 3 years. This sustained connection creates a stable, predictable environment for adults and children alike. Students are able to attend to their learning, rather than having to adjust to new people and new routines every year. For more information on Montessori and children with disabilities and neurodivergences, please visit this page.

Montessori students typically do not receive letter or number grades for their work. Grades, like other external rewards, have little lasting effect on a child’s efforts or achievements. The Montessori approach nurtures the motivation that comes from within, kindling the child’s natural desire to learn. A self-motivated learner also learns to be self-sufficient, without needing reinforcement from outside. In the classroom, of course, the teacher is always available to provide students with guidance and support. Although most Montessori teachers don’t assign grades, they closely and continuously observe and assess each student’s progress and readiness to advance to new lessons. Most schools hold family conferences a few times a year so parents may see samples of their child’s work and hear the teacher’s assessment—and perhaps even their child’s self-assessment.

A growing body of research comparing Montessori students to those in traditional schools suggests that in academic subjects, Montessori students perform as well as or better—academically and socially—than their non-Montessori peers. These benefits grow as children have more experience in a Montessori environment. Most Montessori schools report that their students are typically accepted into the high schools and colleges of their choice. And many successful graduates cite their years at Montessori when reflecting on the important influences in their life.

Public Montessori schools are mandated to administer the same standardized tests as other public schools. Some private Montessori schools also administer standardized exams, particularly if they will be required by schools into which their students may transition. Other schools choose not to administer these tests.

One must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. College/ university, or its equivalent, as well as a Montessori credential. AMS has several affiliated techer education programs available to earn Montessori credentials across all age groups. An associate credential for Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood levels is awarded to those who have completed high school but do not hold a bachelor’s degree. For more information on how to become a Montessori Educator, please visit this page. To learn more about AMS-affiliated teacher education programs (TEPs), visit this page.

As soon as you enter a classroom, you know that something different is afoot. Montessori classrooms are immediately recognizable. You will see children working independently and in groups, often with specially designed learning materials; deeply engaged in their work; and respectful of themselves and their surroundings. To see inside each age group’s classroom, visit this page.

There is! More school districts are including Montessori programs as a parent choice. Currently, more than 500 public schools nationwide offer Montessori programs. Public Montessori education is a popular option for preschool through high school students attending all types of publicly funded schools—neighborhood, magnet, and charter. Because they are publicly funded, public Montessori schools are open to all children. They do not generally require incoming students to have prior Montessori experience; however, some restrict the admission of children without Montessori experience to lower Elementary levels only. Students are often admitted to public Montessori programs by lottery because there tend to be more applicants than openings. While public Montessori programs are tuition-free, tuition may be charged for 3- to 4-year-olds in public school pre-kindergarten classes that are not fully covered by state funding. If required, pre-kindergarten tuition is usually paid on a sliding scale, depending upon the family’s eligibility for the National School Lunch Program (free, reduced, or full-pay).

Since the word ‘Montessori’ is public domain and anyone can use it, it’s important to look out for the 5 core components of Montessori education: Trained Montessori teachers The multi-age classroom Utilizing Montessori materials Child-directed work Uninterrupted work periods For more details on these 5 Core Components, visit this page. Please note that public Montessori schools may not all be able to execute across these core components. For additional information on quality Montessori schools, see the Pathway of Continuous School Improvement, and read about AMS Accredited Schools. For more information on Choosing an AMS Member School, go here.

There are a handful of misconceptions and myths about the Montessori method, and they are often contradictory. To learn more about these common misconceptions, read this post on our Montessori Life Blog!

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the success of Montessori’s holistic approach in achieving strong results on both academic and non-academic student outcomes. Find the specific research citations here.

Montessori education is own for individually paced learning and fostering independence, the Montessori Method also encourages empathy, a passion for social justice, and a joy in lifelong learning. Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century. For details on how a Montessori education provides these benefits, check out this page.

Currently, most Montessori programs begin at the Early Childhood level (for children ages 2.5 – 6 years). However there are also programs for infants and toddlers (birth – age 3), Elementary-aged children (ages 6 – 12), and Secondary students (ages 12 – 18). Some schools refer to the first part of the Secondary level as Middle School (ages 12 – 15) and the second part as High School (ages 15 – 18).

The multi-age classroom is designed to create natural opportunities for independence, citizenship, and accountability—children embrace multi-sensory learning and passionate inquiry. Multi-age groupings enable younger children to learn from older children and experience new challenges through observation. Older children reinforce their own learning by teaching concepts they have already mastered, while developing leadership skills and serving as role models. Learn more about the multi-age classroom component on our 5 Core Components of Montessori Education page.

A hallmark of Montessori education is the hands-on approach to learning and the use of specially designed learning materials. Beautifully and precisely crafted, Montessori’s distinctive learning materials each teach a single skill or concept such as math materials, language materials, and sensorial materials. The materials follow a logical, developmentally appropriate progression that allows the child to develop an abstract understanding of a concept. To learn more about classrooms, visit our Inside the Montessori Classroom page.

Montessori students typically do not receive letter or number grades for their work. Grades, like other external rewards, have little lasting effect on a child’s efforts or achievements. The Montessori approach nurtures the motivation that comes from within, kindling the child’s natural desire to learn. A self-motivated learner also learns to be self-sufficient, without needing reinforcement from outside. In the classroom, of course, the teacher is always available to provide students with guidance and support. Although most Montessori teachers don’t assign grades, they closely and continuously observe and assess each student’s progress and readiness to advance to new lessons. Most schools hold family conferences a few times a year so parents may see samples of their child’s work and hear the teacher’s assessment—and perhaps even their child’s self-assessment.

It is unusual for the youngest students to receive homework. Generally, parents can expect that as students mature through the grade levels they will be given homework. When this happens, students are expected to spend approximately 20 – 40 minutes completing the task on their own. Young children (ages 6 – 8) may be asked to read to their parents, or complete a project that is started at school. As students move through the Montessori program, more responsibility for completing homework is expected.

Montessori schools teach the same basic skills as traditional schools, and offer a rigorous academic program. Most of the subject areas are familiar—such as math, science, history, geography, and language—but they are presented through an integrated approach that weaves separate strands of the curriculum together. While studying a map of Africa, for example, students may explore the art, history, and inventions of several African nations. This may lead them to examine ancient Egypt, including hieroglyphs and their place in the history of writing. And the study of the pyramids is a natural bridge to geometry! This approach to curriculum demonstrates the interrelatedness of all things. It also allows students to become thoroughly immersed in a topic—and to give their curiosity full rein.

When you observe a Montessori teacher at work you may be surprised! You will not see them standing in front of the classroom teaching the same lesson to the entire class, because the Montessori curriculum is individualized to the needs, interests, and learning style of each child. Often you will find the teacher on the floor, working with an individual child. With the older children, the teacher may be giving a small group lesson, or demonstrating a lesson or activity that the students will then complete on their own. One of the many roles of the Montessori teacher is to observe each child and the classroom community as a whole and make adaptations to the environment and lesson-planning as needed to support each child’s development. As the Montessori teacher observes, they are determining when and how to introduce a new challenging lesson to a student, and when to review a previous lesson if a skill has not yet been mastered. While a Montessori student may choose their activities on any given day, their decisions are limited by the materials and activities in each area of the curriculum that the teacher has prepared and presented to her. The teacher’s observations inform each child’s personalized learning plan and allow each child to move through the curriculum at an appropriate pace and level of challenge.

Montessori expects parent education, classroom observation, and providing enriching learning experiences. Learn more about Montessori at home here, or sign up for our course You and Your Child’s Montessori Education: Early Childhood on our online learning platform, AMS Learning.

As your child transitions out of a Montessori environment to another type of program, they are likely to thrive socially and academically. Poised, self-reliant, and used to working harmoniously as part of a classroom community, students who move from Montessori typically adjust quickly to the ways of their new school. Learn more about continuing your child’s Montessori education here.

An advantage of the Montessori approach—including multi-age classrooms with students of varying abilities and interests—is that it allows each child to work at his or her own pace. Students whose strengths and interests propel them to higher levels of learning can find intellectual challenge without being separated from their peers. The same is true for students who may need extra guidance and support, including students with special needs such as ADHD, learning differences, and autism spectrum disorders: each can progress through the curriculum at her own comfortable pace, without feeling pressure to “catch up.” From a Montessori perspective, every child is considered gifted, each in his own way. Every child has unique strengths and interests that the Montessori environment nurtures and supports.

A trained Montessori teacher is well versed not only in Montessori theory and philosophy, but also in the accurate and appropriate use of Montessori materials. They have observational skills to guide and challenge their students, a firm foundation in human growth and development, and the leadership skills necessary for fostering a nurturing environment that physically and psychologically supports learning. In order to earn AMS Accreditation, all lead teachers must hold Montessori teaching credentials for the ages they are teaching. Visit our AMS Accreditation Standards page for more detail – including which credentials are valid.

AMS does not require that your school purchase materials from any particular company although AMS members, but will receive a 5% discount through Nienhuis. Visit the AMS Marketplace for more companies. To download our lists of suggested materials by classroom age, visit this page.

AMS is committed to increasing public awareness of Montessori education and promoting its growth. When your school becomes a member, you gain a vital ally, dedicated to helping your school succeed, improving the quality of your Montessori programs, supporting your communications, advancing the professional growth of your staff, and achieving your strategic goals. Some of the benefits include: a unique school profile page on the AMS website, with detailed information about your school and programs; the ability to post open employment opportunities on our job board, opportunities to promote your school’s achievements in Montessori Life magazine, and other AMS social media platforms; the option to enroll in the AMS Pathway of Continuous School Improvement, which provides a framework to work towards your goals for improving, refining, and sustaining your school’s Montessori programs as well as a wide array of resources to support your practice, all available upon login.

AMS offers access to specifically designed insurance plans for our individual members. Learn more here.

Please visit our AMS School Accreditation page for information on the process, standards, and getting started for more information.For any questions about Accreditation please email accreditation@amshq.org.

Membership is available to any school that needs resources and support for their Montessori program. Having an active AMS School Membership provides eligibility for accreditation. Once a school is interested in becoming an AMS Verified School, an orientation and/or evaluation of certain met requirements must be completed through the Pathway of Continuous School Improvement.

The next step would be to join the AMS Pathways of Continuous School Improvement also known as Pathway. It is a framework that supports member schools in their ongoing commitment to providing and sustaining quality Montessori programs. For any questions about the Pathway please email pathway@amshq.org.

Although AMS does not offer consulting services, we offer mentorship opportunities for Heads of Schools of our member schools through an online platform, AMS Connect, to connect with other HOS to discuss topics of their interest. We also host monthly zoom call meetings for HOS on various topics.

Member schools may request a frameable letter showing your membership with AMS. Once school dues are paid, please email membership@amshq.org to request the letter. The letter will then be emailed to you within 48 hours.

Based on your application request, a payment is due immediately upon receipt of your invoice in order to activate your School Membership.

School membership is based on a scale of how many enrolled students your school has. Discounts apply to AMS accredited schools, public schools, international schools and satellite locations. Visit our school membership page for additional information.

That depends on your school, but schools are encouraged to purchase membership bundles for their staff. AMS accredited schools are required to purchase memberships for all their lead teachers. Check with your school to be sure.

The Montessori curriculum is much more than lesson plans and materials, therefore hiring Montessori Teachers with credentials from an accredited training center, like those affiliated with AMS, is the best way to ensure that the curriculum is properly executed. Credentialed teachers learn the curriculum through their rigorous training and practice – building “albums,” or curriculum guides, during the training process. If you or your school have an AMS membership, you can access examples in our member resources portal when you’re logged in.

Yes, whether it is your individual or school membership, AMS is an annual membership that begins on July 1 and expires on June 30th. AMS sends out communication via emails and newsletters to remind individuals and schools when it is time to renew.

Your AMS Membership will be activated, once payment is received. Once logged in to ‘My Account’, the AMS Account Manager will be on the left side of your dashboard. From there, the ‘Print Membership Card’ can be selected and the Membership card can be printed for your wallet. AMS sends out communication via emails and newsletters to remind individuals and schools when it is time to renew.

Yes! We offer discount on professional development events throughout the year, as well as certificate programs and live courses. For a full list of Individual Membership benefits with helpful links, visit our Individual Membership page. AMS hosts an annual conference every year called The Montessori Event. You do no need to be a member to attend, but discounts for members are offered.

You can visit our webpage for Starting a Montessori School. Once you become a member, you will have access to our membership resources page which has some policies and procedure resources, as well as webinars on our learning platform AMS Learning. Our memberships include access to our communication platform AMS Connect, where you can speak with other AMS members who have started their own schools.

Your AMS membership is driven the email address you chose to use when signing up. Each member will choose one email address on file, and should consistently use that address when logging into our website. If for any reason you need to change your email address associated with your account, you can do so by logging in and uptating your profile information. Please note, your unique account may have credentials, professional development certificates, or other information tied to it, so it is important that a new account not be created when changing schools, or when having difficulty logging in. If you are having difficulty accessing your account, please reach out to membership@amshq.org, and we will be happy to assist you. If there are specific benefits you’re looking for, or would like more information on what benefits are included with membership, please visit our Individual Membership or School Membership information page here. Note that we no longer have a separate login account for schools. If you are a head of school or an administrator with access to perform school functions, such as complete applications, post to the job board, and pay open invoices, you will access these functions from your individual membership account. If you are a new head of school and need access to complete school functions, please contact us at membership@amshq.org and we can transfer access for the school from the previous head to you, with verification of your role. Please do not change the email or password for any accounts that are not yours.

Individual AMS Members can connect with other teachers within their credentialed area on our AMS Connect platform, here. Additionally, a terrific guideline to ensure you are meeting best practices and understand the overall framework for a school is to download the AMS Accreditation standards which can be found here.

Member schools are schools that have signed up for AMS School Membership. AMS membership is available for any schools looking to show their commitment to Montessori and take advantage of the member services we offer. Visit this page on our site to learn about the benefits of school membership, and more. An AMS member school becomes verified once AMS confirms they uphold the 5 core components of Montessori education. To learn more about the 5 core components, visit this page on our website. An school earns an AMS accreditation after writing a self-study and hosting a visiting team that verifies compliance with AMS school accreditation standards. We lay all of this out and more here!

You will be part of an 18,000 international member network of teachers, school administrators, teacher educators, adult learners, and many others who are committed to high quality Montessori education and lifelong learning. We have several events and online platforms to further facilitate connections like AMS Connect and AMS Affinity Groups. There are also several professional development opportunities that qualify for professional development hours, including our on-demand, online courses on our AMS Learning platform. You will receive community discounts on events like The Montessori Event and on certificate programs like the Anti-bias, Antiracist (ABAR) Certificate Program and the Elementary Reading Certificate Program. You will have a subscription to and full access to the 10-year digital archive of our quarterly magazine, Montessori Life. You will also have full acess to Member-only Resources, which has sample handbooks, policies, report forms, how-to sheets, and curriculum guides. School Memberships provide eligibility to pursue AMS school accreditation, a unique school profile page in the Find-a-School directory, and access to post on the AMS Jobs Board.

AMS has an online professional development library called AMS Learning that makes learning available 24/7. Choose from single videos, multi-module classes, or a combination of both. AMS Members have unlimited access. There are also opportunities to earn professional development hours by attending in-person events such as The Montessori Event and symposia, certificate programs, and more. We offer thought-provoking and enjoyable professional development tailored to a comprehensive range of needs and interests.