AMI Recognition Program

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

Recognition status is assigned on the basis of the Standards for AMI Montessori classrooms as documented in the school’s 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 level is fully recognized, 100% of the lead teachers at that level are AMI trained and all of the AMI standards must be achieved.

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

AMI/USA Affiliated

To qualify for the Affiliated status, two out of three classrooms or three out of four classrooms at that level or multiples thereof, are led by AMI teachers. The level meets all other AMI standards.

AMI/USA Associated

To qualify for the Associated status, 50% of the lead teachers must hold an AMI diploma. The Associated status is also a transitional category for schools that are in the process of developing programs that meet 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 also to abide by all local, state, and federal ordinances, statutes, rules, and regulations. AMI/USA reserves the right to refuse recognition, or revoke it, whenever the activities of a school are found to be inconsistent with AMI’s aims. Because recognition certificates are valid only for the current school year, schools must submit a yearly application.

Application Process

Programs applying for an AMI Recognition Status must complete the Application for Recognition every year and the Request for Consultation form in the first year and every 3 years thereafter. Following the review of completed forms and upon the written recommendation of the consultant (if applicable), AMI/USA will finalize the status of each program level and complete the process with the issuance of the program’s certificate(s). It is at this time that the school may begin to identify levels of its program as AMI Recognized, Affiliated, or Associated.

Important Dates

• August 1, 2022: The Application for AMI Recognition Status will open on the AMI/USA website.
  
• September 9, 2022: The Application for AMI Recognition Status, the Request for Consultation form, the school calendar and the required fees are due for programs with a consultation due, or in the case of a new program applying for a recognition status. Please note, there is an additional $99 fee incurred for requests for consultation submitted after this date.
• October 14, 2022: The Application for AMI Recognition Status and the required fees are due for programs that are not due for a recognition consultation this year. Please note, there is an additional $99 fee incurred for applications submitted after this date.

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

• $80 non-refundable application fee
• $21/child for the first 190 children, $12/child over 190 children
• Public Schools: $135/100 children. Public School districts may submit a purchase order by the due date, with payment terms of Net 30, to receive pricing in effect that date.
• Public Charter Schools: Tuition based for ages 0 – 4 pays regular recognition fees, public charter for 5+ pays public fees.
• $99 per AMI/USA Membership. The administrator and each classroom teacher must have current AMI/USA memberships through June 30, 2023. For Affiliated and Associated programs: AMI/USA membership is required for all lead teachers, even if they are not AMI trained.
• $100 airfare/transportation flat fee per level seeking recognition
• Click here for more information on consultation fees.

All fees are prepaid.

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

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 lead teachers and the administrator. A level report and individual teachers’ 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 on the link below for more information about consultations:

The Association Montessori Internationale (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 Congress.

About AMI/USA

As the primary operational affiliate in the USA, the Association Montessori International of the United States (AMI/USA) is a national non-profit organization that upholds Dr. Maria Montessori’s original vision. 

AMI/USA objectives include:

• Promote global peace, human development, and human rights through the application of Montessori principles.
• Support the activities of our global organization Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
• Support schools through the AMI Recognition and Consultation program.
• Advance the understanding of AMI pedagogical principles and practices with families and communities.
• Promote the development of AMI teacher training to foster the availability of AMI Montessori education.
• Continue outreach and collaboration with AMI affiliates in the United States as well as kindred organizations that share the purpose of service to children.
• Advocate for educational policy that supports AMI Montessori education in the United States.
• Provide professional development opportunities in the United States through national and regional conferences, workshops, webinars and journals.
• Provide opportunities for collegial engagement through membership and discussion forums.
• Substantiate the value of AMI Montessori education through the support of traditional academic research.
• Maintain effective fiscal and organizational strength.

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.

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 but once a school gains Recognized, Affiliated or Associated status, the AMI/USA Member School seal can be used. 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. Schools are encouraged to link to the AMI and AMI/USA websites from their websites as well.

We appreciate your interest in the AMI Recognition program!