AMI/USA Aspiring Schools Program
AMI/USA administers the Aspiring Schools Program for Montessori schools in the USA. In becoming an AMI/USA Member School, your program is participating in the vitality of our organization and helping to continue the legacy of Montessori education that was created over a half-century ago.
An Aspiring Schools Certificate provides assurance to families, prospective staff and the community of the school’s aspirations to achieving the AMI Standards. Participating programs are listed on the School Locator and receive the Member School Seal for marketing purposes. A certificate is issued by AMI/USA that is suitable for framing and confirms each program’s aspirations to participate in the AMI Recognition Program.
Requirements for Aspiring Schools
The Application for Aspiring Schools 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 Aspiring status is assigned to a program based on the requirements noted below and as documented in the yearly application. To receive a certificate as an Aspiring School, the program should be working towards achieving the minimum standards for participation in the AMI Recognition Program and must align with the guidelines as noted below.
-
Up to 3 classes – at least one AMI trained teacher or teacher in AMI training.
4 to 6 classes – at least two AMI trained teachers or teachers in AMI training.
7 to 9 classes – at least three AMI trained teachers or teachers in training.
-
The total number of children per class can be less than 10 children.
-
Ages 0-3: a minimum of a 2-hour work cycle each morning
Ages 3-12: a minimum of a 3-hour work cycle each morning
Ages 12-18: long work cycles included in the schedule.
-
A classroom assistant is recommended, however is not required depending on the number of children.
-
A complete set of AMI-approved materials is not required during the aspiring phase.
-
The administrator and each classroom teacher are required to have a current AMI/USA membership through June 30, each year..
The program will have a limited period of 3 years to participate as an Aspiring School before they should be prepared to submit the annual Application for AMI Recognition. If the aspiring program achieves a recognition status for participation in the AMI Recognition Program within the three years, the school will receive a $500 discount off the Application for AMI Recognition.
How to Apply
General Policies
To be eligible for an AMI/USA certificate as an Aspiring School, a school must be aspiring to participate in the AMI Recognition Program. 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/USA aims and objectives. A yearly application must be submitted because aspiring certificates are valid only for the current school year.
Application Process
Programs applying for an Aspiring Certificate must complete the Application for Aspiring Schools every year. The term is limited to 3 years. Following the review of the completed form, the status of each program level will be finalized and the process will be completed with the issuance of the program certificates. It is at this time that the school may begin to identify approved program levels as AMI/USA Aspiring.
Important Dates for the 2026-27 School Year
August 1, 2026
The Application for Aspiring Schools opens for submissions.
Ongoing Submissions
This program has been updated to remove the deadline and late fee. Please plan to apply at any time!
Contact AMI/USA if you have any questions regarding participation in this program or if support is needed with the form.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
$100 non-refundable application fee.
$500 per classroom at levels seeking certificate only.
$125-$350 per AMI/USA Membership for the administrator and each classroom teacher (fees vary, non-refundable, non-transferable)
All fees are prepaid. Contact AMI/USA if you have any questions regarding fees or payment options.
-
The Aspiring Schools Program concerns pedagogical matters within classrooms and does not assess aspects of school operations such as state licensing requirements, financial or administrative matters.
-
AMI/USA is an organization whose regulation of conduct is limited to pedagogical matters. All those connected with 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.
-
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.
-
-
No. Please note that use of the AMI/USA logo is reserved for our office. Schools are asked not to use the AMI/USA logo. But once a school gains Aspiring status, the 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/USA website from their websites.