Educator Tells What that Means
AMS school accreditation illustrates the general process. There are high standards for simple school affiliation with AMS. Requirements include, for example, specific ratios of students to teachers, a prepared Montessori environment, multiple-age grouping, current local licenses, and safety rules.
Only fully affiliated schools (with staff trained for the grade they teach) may choose to become accredited. Accredited schools meet higher qualifications than the affiliates.
Accreditation is a year-long process of self-study ending with a comprehensive written analysis. Professional peers then verify the school's findings on site and make recommendations. The best school becomes better, while publicly demonstrating that it meets the very highest educational standards with dedication and integrity. The school plans its future with strategic planning through this process.
AMS grants accreditation for a term of seven years during which the school provides annual progress reports. By the fifth year, the school initiates the continuing accreditation process. A school may be re-accredited for another seven years.
The American Montessori Society is the nation's largest organization devoted to Montessori education.
