Home › About Montessori

Why AMI?

AMI is Authentic

The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was established in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain, propagate and further her ideas and principles for the full development of the human being. AMI, with headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is the oldest recognized authority on Montessori education worldwide.

AMI is Comprehensive

In the United States, AMI recognition is issued to schools that have met the high standards of the association. Although no two schools are the same, adhering to the distinct philosophical and operational characteristics detailed below guarantees that a school meets the AMI criteria. Community Montessori is the only school in the Indianapolis area with an AMI Certificate of Recognition!

AMI Recognition

The primary form of school accreditation is through the AMI School Recognition program. An AMI Certificate of Recognition offers credibility to a school's status within the education 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 Montessori Certificate of Recognition a school must have:
  1. An AMI trained teacher at the appropriate age level for each class.
  2. A consultation by an AMI trained consultant once every three years.
  3. A complete set of materials for each class from a manufacturer authorized by AMI.
  4. A philosophical approach consistent with Montessori principles:
    • Classes made up of children representing a three year age range.
    • 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 classes
    • An uninterrupted three-hour work cycle each morning


Metal Insets