AMI Recognition Program

The Application for AMI Recognition is submitted for one or more program levels each year. Program levels include Assistants to Infancy for ages 0 to 3, Primary for ages 3 to 6, Elementary for ages 6 to 12 and Adolescent for ages 12 to 18. Each program level receives a distinct status, which may or may not be the same as the other levels at the school.

The recognition status is assigned to each program on the basis of the Standards for AMI Montessori Classrooms as documented in the yearly application.

A recognition consultation visit is required at the program level in the first year of recognition, and every three years thereafter, to confirm the status documented in the application. The status of a program may be updated by the Executive Director of AMI/USA at any time on submission of documentation confirming all AMI standards for a new status have been met.

There are three different status levels:

AMI Recognized

To receive the AMI certificate of recognition indicating that a program level is fully recognized, 100% of teachers are AMI trained at that level and all of the AMI standards must be achieved. This status also applies to an adolescent community with one teacher holding an AMI diploma at that level in a position to guide pedagogy.

For programs that do not meet all of the standards, AMI/USA offers these alternatives:

AMI/USA Affiliated

To qualify for the Affiliated status, between 50% to 100% of teachers are AMI trained at that level. The program meets all other AMI standards.

AMI/USA Associated

To qualify for the Associated status, 50% of teachers are AMI trained at that level. The Associated status is also a category for developing programs that are in the process of achieving all of the AMI standards.

General Policies

To be eligible for AMI Recognition, a school must strive to meet all of the AMI standards. It is the responsibility of the school to abide by all local, state, and federal ordinances, statutes, rules, and regulations. AMI/USA reserves the right to refuse or revoke recognition whenever the activities of a school are found to be inconsistent with AMI and AMI/USA aims and objectives. A yearly application must be submitted because recognition certificates are valid only for the current school year.

Application Process

Programs applying for an AMI Recognition Status must complete the Application for AMI Recognition every year with the Request for Consultation form in the first year and every 3 years thereafter. A consultation visit is also required in the case of a rejoining program. Following the review of completed forms and upon the written recommendation of the consultant in a consultation year, AMI/USA will finalize the status of each program level and complete the process with the issuance of the program certificates. It is at this time that the school may begin to identify program levels as AMI Recognized, Affiliated, or Associated.

Important Dates

• August 1, 2025: The online Application for AMI Recognition opens on the AMI/USA website.
  
• September 19, 2025: The Application for AMI Recognition Status, Request for Consultation, school calendar and required fees are due for new and rejoining programs and those with a third-year consultation required. An additional $115 fee is incurred for requests for consultation submitted after this date.
• October 31, 2025: The Application for AMI Recognition Status and required fees are due for programs that do not have a required consultation this year. An additional $115 fee is incurred for applications submitted after this date.

Applications outside the deadline may be considered at the discretion of the Executive Director.

All fees are prepaid. Contact AMI/USA if you have any questions regarding fees or payment options.

• $100 non-refundable application fee
• $25/child for the first 190 children, $19/child over 190 children
• Public Schools: $425/40 children | Public school districts may attach a purchase order to the application or submit directly by the due date with payment terms of Net 30.
• Public Charter Schools | Tuition based pays regular recognition fees, public charter pays public fees.
• $99 per AMI/USA Membership – pending increase for the 25-26 school year. | The administrator and each classroom teacher are required to have current AMI/USA memberships through June 30, 2026. For Affiliated and Associated programs, AMI/USA membership is required for all teachers even if they are not AMI trained.
• $200 airfare/transportation flat fee per program level seeking recognition | This fee supplements transportation costs and offsets geographical disparities.
• $115 additional fee for requests or applications submitted after deadlines
• Click here for more information on consultation fees

A school visit by a trained AMI consultant is required every 3 years as a part of the AMI Recognition process. The purpose of the consultation is to assess the school’s compliance with AMI pedagogical standards and to assist the school and its teachers in providing the best Montessori education possible. The consultant observes the classes and other relevant aspects of the school, and meets with each teacher and the administrator. A level report and individual teacher reports are written and include recommendations as well as requirements for the program level to come into full compliance with AMI standards. Occasionally, revisits may be required for the following year to assure implementation of the requirements noted.

Click here for more information about consultation visits.

AMI Recognition concerns pedagogical matters within classrooms and does not assess aspects of school operations such as state licensing requirements, financial or administrative matters.

Code of Ethics

AMI and AMI/USA are organizations whose regulation of conduct is limited to pedagogical matters. All those connected with AMI and AMI/USA are expected to conduct themselves lawfully and in a manner that both exemplifies and supports the propagation and furtherance of the ideas and principles of Dr. Maria Montessori for the full development of the human being.

AMI was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929 to maintain the integrity of her life’s work, and continues with the purpose of preserving that legacy. AMI’s activities include empowering teachers and communities with Montessori education through the AMI Scientific Pedagogy Group, promoting and continuing the study, research, and reflection of Maria Montessori’s work, through the Global Research Committee, collecting, studying, and disseminating current and relevant scientific literature on child development and education research, and promoting the continuous exchange of ideas, perspectives, and practices through such events as the AMI International Montessori Congress.

About AMI/USA

As the primary AMI affiliate in the USA, AMI/USA is a national non-profit organization that upholds Dr. Maria Montessori’s original vision and is dedicated to bringing the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori to the education of children through its support and advancement of the AMI Montessori community in the United States.

Schools are encouraged to link to the AMI and AMI/USA websites from their websites.

Click here for more information about our mission and objectives.

Use of the AMI and AMI/USA Logos

Please note that the AMI and AMI/USA logos are copyrighted and their use is reserved for the head office, AMI affiliate organizations, and AMI training centers. Schools are asked not to use the AMI nor the AMI/USA logos. Once a school gains Recognized, Affiliated or Associated status, the AMI/USA Member School Seal will be provided for the school’s website and communication materials. This seal provides visual acknowledgement of a school’s AMI/USA membership.

We appreciate your interest in the AMI Recognition program!

Please contact AMI/USA with any questions.