AMI/USA School Recognition Program

AMI/USA Recognised School Status

In the United States the primary form of school affiliation is through the AMI School Recognition program.  An AMI Certificate of Recognition offers credibility to a school's status within the educational community as a whole, as well as within the Montessori community, and it confirms a staunch support of Montessori principles faithfully put into practice. To be considered for an AMI Certificate of Recognition a school must have:

bead1 An AMI trained teacher at the appropriate age level for each class.

bead1 A consultation by an AMI trained consultant once every three years.

bead1 A complete set of materials for each class from a manufacturer authorized by AMI.

bead1 A philosophical approach consistent with what is given in AMI training courses.

bead1 Classes made up of children representing a three year age range:
Infant/Toddler:  2 months-3 years  
• Parent-Infant Class: 2 months-16 months
• Toddler Community: 16 months-3 years
Primary: 3-6 years
Elementary: 6-9 years, and 9-12 years

bead1 Between 28-35 children in each class including a well-balanced division of ages to ensure social development.

bead1 Morning sessions five days per week for the full class, with an afternoon session (extended day) consisting of two to three hours of Montessori activities for the older children in the primary (3 - 6) classes.

bead1 An uninterrupted three-hour work cycle each morning.

bead1 No more than one aide in each primary (3 - 6) classroom. (Note Australian government regulations usually require more than one assistant in each 3 - 6 classroom.)

AMI/USA Affiliated School Status

Due to a variety of circumstances, some schools are unable to meet the requirement that all teachers be holders of AMI diplomas at the appropriate age level. Consequently, AMI/USA has instituted an alternative plan, the Affiliated School Status, which holds to all requirements of AMI recognition except the one requiring an AMI diploma holder in each classroom.  To qualify for this status at least 80% of the teachers must be AMI credentialed at the appropriate age level.  Such schools will be given a three year grace period to come into compliance with the requirements for full AMI recognition.

AMI/USA Associated School Status

To qualify for the Associated Status at least 50% of the teachers/administrators must hold an AMI diploma and at least one AMI teacher must be teaching at the appropriate age level.

This status is a transitional category for those schools in the process of meeting pedagogical standards for full AMI recognition. Based upon the recommendation of the consultant/AMI-USA, Associated schools will be given a grace period of up to three years to come into compliance with the requirements for recognition.

Public schools are affiliated with AMI/USA through the Associated Status.