When you are looking for a quality Montessori school as either a parent or prospective teacher it is important to keep in mind that schools are operated independently and are either privately owned or run by a non-profit association. The name “Montessori” is not copyrighted and so any school can claim that it is offering an authentic Montessori program.  Therefore anyone can open a school and call it Montessori. The vast majority of schools calling themselves "Montessori" do offer a high quality and authentic Montessori program but a little research on your part can ensure you are making an informed choice for you and your child.

It is often the case that a Montessori school administrator will encourage parents to observe at the school before enrolling their child. This is an excellent way to assess if the school will be an environment that will suit the developmental needs of your child. You will be invited to observe in a classroom setting while the children are in attendance. Typically you will be offered a brief history of the school, program offerings and school policies. It is important to enquire about the training and experience level of the teachers and whether parent education evenings are offered. You might also consider asking if the school has an affiliation with a provincial or national Montessori organization.

For further information on choosing a Montessori school that maintains a program based on internationally recognized standards you may wish to refer to our extensive reading list to learn more about Montessori principles and the preparation of the Montessori classroom environment.

AMI CONSULTATION IN CANADA
Coordinator: Nancy Lowden [msofc@telusplanet.net]
Consultation by an AMI trained consultant is valuable and effective for staff development, especially for first year teachers. It offers an objective form of quality control when a school cannot meet the AMI criteria for school recognition because of regulations, a process that parents will understand and appreciate.
Please contact Nancy for information.