7 Ways to Spot a Real Montessori School (vs Montessori-ish Imposters)

✅ What You Should See

• AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certification – This is the gold standard. It’s Maria Montessori’s original organization, most rigorous training.
• AMS (American Montessori Society) certification – Also legitimate, slightly less strict than AMI but still comprehensive.
• MACTE-accredited training – Look for this designation. It means the training program meets quality standards.
• Lead teachers trained for the specific age group – Infant/toddler, primary (3-6), or elementary credentials. Not just “general Montessori.”

🚩 Red Flags

• “Montessori-inspired” or “Montessori-based” instead of actual certification
• Teachers with only online certificates (legitimate Montessori training requires hundreds of in-person hours)
• Can’t or won’t tell you where teachers were trained
• Regular preschool teachers who “learned Montessori from workshops”
• High teacher turnover (if teachers leave constantly, something’s wrong)

💚 Green Flags

• Teachers proudly mention their AMI or AMS training center by name
• Credentials displayed in classroom or on website with photos
• Teachers have been at the school for several years
• Multiple staff members are trained (not just head teacher)
• School requires ongoing professional development

Questions to Ask

• “Where did your lead teachers receive their Montessori training?”
• “Is it AMI or AMS certified?”
• “What age level are they certified for?”
• “What percentage of your teaching staff has Montessori credentials?”

✅ What You Should See

• Three-year-olds working alongside five-year-olds in primary classrooms
• Older children helping younger ones naturally
• Different activities happening simultaneously at different complexity levels
• Kids working at their own pace, not everyone on the same lesson

🚩 Red Flags

• Classrooms divided by age: “3-year-olds room,” “4-year-olds room,” etc.
• Kids grouped by “ability level” or “readiness”
• Everyone in the class doing the same activity at the same time
• Traditional grade levels (PreK, Pre-K, Kindergarten as separate classes)

💚 Green Flags

• When you ask about “PreK,” they correct you: “We have Primary, ages 3-6”
• Children stay with same teacher for three years
• School talks about benefits of peer learning and mentorship
• Older children are confident, younger ones are engaged

Questions to Ask

• “What age range is in each classroom?”
• “How long do children stay with the same teacher?”
• “How do you handle having such different ages together?”

✅ What You Should See

• Minimum 3-hour block in the morning for work time (usually 8:30/9am to 11:30am/12pm)
• Children moving freely, choosing activities, working at their own pace
• Some kids deeply focused on one material for 30+ minutes
• Teacher observing more than directing
• Quiet, purposeful atmosphere (not silent, but calm)

🚩 Red Flags

• Daily schedule shows 20-30 minute activity blocks
• Bell or timer signals transitions
• “Center time” or “stations” where everyone rotates together
• Teacher-led whole group lessons during main work time
• Kids told “time’s up, put that away and come to circle”

💚 Green Flags

• Schedule explicitly shows “Work Cycle: 9:00-12:00” (or similar)
• Kids can repeat activities as long as they want
• Teacher gives individual or small group lessons, not whole class
• Snack available throughout morning, not scheduled for everyone
• Children seem deeply engaged, not watching the clock

Questions to Ask:

• “Can you walk me through a typical morning schedule?”
• “How long is your uninterrupted work time?”
• “What happens if a child is really focused on something when it’s time to transition?”
• “Do you have whole group circle times during the work cycle?”

✅ What You Should See

• Complete set of Montessori materials for the age group (practical life, sensorial, math, language, culture)
• Materials organized on low shelves, one of each displayed
• Everything has a specific place, labeled or organized by area
• Materials are clean, complete, and in good repair
• Real materials: glass pitchers, ceramic bowls, actual tools (not plastic toy versions)

🚩 Red Flags

• Worksheets, flashcards, or workbooks visible
• Electronic learning toys, tablets, or screens in classroom
• Plastic toy versions instead of real materials (toy kitchen vs real pitcher)
• Materials thrown together in bins or toy boxes
• Lots of commercial toys mixed with Montessori materials
• Incomplete materials (half the sandpaper letters missing, etc.)

💚 Green Flags

• You recognize materials from Montessori photos/books
• Materials are organized by curriculum area with clear purpose
• Real objects for practical life (actual broom, real pitcher, glass cups)
• Natural materials emphasized (wood, metal, glass, fabric)
• Materials progress from simple to complex within each area

Questions to Ask

• “Do you have the complete set of Montessori materials for this age?”
• “How often do you replace or update materials?”
• “Do children use worksheets or workbooks?”
• “Can you show me how one of these materials works?” (Their explanation will tell you if they understand it)

✅ What You Should See

• Children getting materials from shelves without asking permission
• Kids choosing where to work (floor, table, rug)
• Different children working on completely different activities
• Children work alone, in pairs, or small groups by choice
• Teacher observing and giving individual lessons, not directing the whole class

🚩 Red Flags

• All children doing the same activity at the same time
• Kids raising hands and waiting for permission to get materials
• Teacher assigns what each child should work on
• “Free play” is separate from “learning time”
• Children look to teacher constantly for approval or next steps
• Materials are locked away or out of reach

💚 Green Flags

• Children move purposefully and independently
• Kids working at different levels on same material (one counting, one doing math problems)
• Teacher asks “What would you like to work on today?” not “Everyone get your math folders”
• Children show ownership: “This is my work” not “The teacher made me do this”
• Classroom feels calm but alive with purposeful activity

Questions to Ask

• “How do children choose what to work on each day?”
• “What if a child wants to do the same activity multiple days in a row?”
• “Are there activities children can’t choose without permission?”
• “How do you balance freedom and structure?”

✅ What You Should See

• No sticker charts, behavior charts, or reward systems visible
• Teachers observe and describe rather than praise (“You worked on that for a long time”)
• No grades or letter grades for young children
• Progress reports describe what child can do, not how they rank
• Children seem internally motivated, not performing for adult approval

🚩 Red Flags

• Behavior charts with names and colored levels
• Sticker charts or reward systems for completing work
• “Star student” or “student of the week” programs
• Competition between children encouraged
• Grades or letter grades for preschool/primary children
• Public displays comparing children’s progress

💚 Green Flags

• Teacher language focuses on process (“You figured that out!”) not judgment (“Good job!”)
• Progress reports are narrative and individualized
• School explains why they don’t use rewards
• Children proud of their work for its own sake
• Assessment is observation-based, not test-based

Questions to Ask

• “How do you assess children’s progress?”
• “Do you use any reward or incentive systems?”
• “How will I know how my child is doing compared to peers?”
• “What does your progress report look like?”

✅ What You Should See

• Teachers speak to children in normal, respectful tones
• Adults get down to child’s eye level for conversations
• Children’s opinions and preferences are valued
• Conflicts resolved through discussion, not punishment
• Mistakes treated as learning opportunities, not failures
• No time-outs or public shaming

🚩 Red Flags

• Teachers use baby talk or overly saccharine voices
• Time-out chair or “think about what you did” corners
• Public reprimands or shaming
• Teachers talking over children’s heads to each other
• Dismissive responses to children’s questions or concerns
• Punitive discipline (losing privileges, etc.)

💚 Green Flags

• Children speak confidently to adults and visitors
• Teachers say “excuse me” and “thank you” to children
• Adults wait for children to finish speaking before responding
• Discipline focuses on natural consequences and problem-solving
• Children seem comfortable, not performing or anxious

Questions to Ask

• “How do you handle conflicts between children?”
• “What’s your approach to discipline?”
• “How do you help children learn from mistakes?”
• “Do you use time-outs?”

School Name: _____________________ Date: _____

✓ Teacher Credentials

• ☐ Lead teachers are AMI or AMS certified
• ☐ Teachers trained for specific age level they teach
• ☐ Can name their training center
• ☐ Low teacher turnover (teachers stay multiple years)

✓ Classroom Structure

• ☐ Mixed-age classrooms (3-year spans)
• ☐ Children stay with same teacher for full cycle
• ☐ Different ages working together naturally

✓ Work Cycle

• ☐ 3-hour uninterrupted work period
• ☐ No bells or timers forcing transitions
• ☐ Children working at individual pace
• ☐ Can repeat activities as long as interested

✓ Materials & Environment

• ☐ Complete set of Montessori materials visible
• ☐ NO worksheets, flashcards, or workbooks
• ☐ Real materials (glass, ceramic, wood)
• ☐ Materials organized, one of each on display
• ☐ No tablets or screens in classroom

✓ Student Choice & Independence

• ☐ Children freely choosing their work
• ☐ Kids getting materials without asking permission
• ☐ Different activities happening simultaneously
• ☐ Teacher observing more than directing

✓ Assessment & Motivation

• ☐ NO sticker charts or behavior charts
• ☐ NO “student of the week” or rewards
• ☐ No grades for young children
• ☐ Observation-based progress reports

✓ Respectful Environment

• ☐ Teachers speak respectfully to children
• ☐ Adults get to child’s eye level
• ☐ NO time-out chairs or public shaming
• ☐ Natural consequences, not punishment

My Overall Impression:

Green flags: _____ / Red flags: _____

Notes: