American Montessori Society Affiliation and Teacher Training

Bozeman Summit School is a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS), the foremost advocate for quality Montessori education. All lead teachers have received their Montessori training from an accredited AMS training center. The American Montessori Society was founded in 1960 by Nancy Rambusch in response to the overwhelming public demand for more information regarding Montessori education. Today, the American Montessori Society is a national, non-profit educational organization whose primary focus is ensuring the highest standards through accreditation of Montessori schools, the affiliation of teacher education programs, and the creation of professional development resources. AMS also advances Montessori education by supporting related activities – including research and public policy – and by creating a global community of education professionals, families and policy makers. Bozeman Summit School is currently creating a timeline for AMS accreditation.

Since "Montessori" is a word in the public domain, it is possible for any individual or institution to claim to be Montessori. However, an authentic Montessori classroom must have these basic characteristics at all levels:

• Teachers credentialed in the Montessori philosophy and methodology for the age level they are teaching. They have the ability and dedication to put the key concepts into practice.
• A partnership established with the family. The family is considered an integral part of the individual's development.
• A multi-age, heterogeneous grouping of students.
• A well rounded set of Montessori materials, activities and experiences that are designed to enhance physical, intellectual, creative and social independence.
• A schedule that allows large blocks of time to problem-solve, see connections in knowledge and create new ideas.
• A safe atmosphere that encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development.