Choosing the right school for your son or daughter is one of the most important issues that parents in the Rockville, Maryland area face. Even at a young age, children can benefit from learning social, academic, and life skills that equip them for long-term success. Montessori schools are an excellent solution for this — as long as you choose the right one.
How do you do that? Here’s one tip that will benefit both you and your child as you look for the best school. Select a Montessori school that is professionally recognized by the best accreditation organizations in the field — the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA).
When you do, you’ll see the results for yourself — a child who knows what he or she is passionate about, who is curious about the world, and who is ready for a lifetime of success.
Why Proper Montessori Accreditation Matters
There are several preschool and private primary schools in the Rockville, Maryland area. But they are not all equal in the quality of care, education, and support they can offer to your child. To help your child develop social graces, leadership skills, and a love for learning, it’s essential to check out what each school offers — not just in environment and techniques but in professionalism.
Unfortunately, the term “Montessori” is not patented, and that means any school can use it in their name without using authentic Montessori techniques. Only about 15% of Montessori schools are actually AMS-accredited. And only about 25% are members of the AMS. This is why finding an accredited AMS school is so valuable.
According to the American Montessori Society, accreditation through their organization is “the gold standard of Montessori school excellence—the highest level of recognition your Montessori school can achieve, and a highly visible indicator of your school’s quality.” The bottom line is that you can be assured your child is receiving an authentic Montessori education at schools that are properly accredited through the AMS and recognized by the NCPSA.
And a genuine Montessori education helps your child in many ways. We’ve compiled a shortlist for you here:
4 Reasons to Enroll in an Accredited Montessori School
Accredited schools not only carry a label indicating that they have earned a professional status; they also offer students highly beneficial advantages that unaccredited schools are unlikely to match. Authentic Montessori schools with AMS/NCPSA accreditation excel at bringing out the best in children because they offer:
1. Dedication to Genuine Montessori Standards
There are a set of definite techniques and concepts that are authentically Montessori in nature. And while any school can use “Montessori” in their name, they may not be using genuine methods. But accredited schools do use authentic Montessori methods, which is an essential accreditation requirement.
Montessori schools with AMS/NCPSA accreditation provide a balanced education, including:
- Independent thinking and individuality
- Self-directed discovery learning
- Positive, cooperative behavior
- Care for the environment and the classroom
- Mentoring of peers
- Respect and kindness in social interactions
- Strong academics that drive lifelong success
When your son or daughter receives an authentic Montessori education, they are learning and discovering the world through proven methods that equip children to excel in school and in life.
2. First-Class Teachers
Unlike other schools, an accredited Montessori school will employ educators who have genuine Montessori credentials. Both our lead teachers and co-teachers have, at minimum, four-year college degrees and post-graduate Montessori certification.
These professional skills benefit your son or daughter by ensuring they receive:
- Experienced guidance in discovering their strengths
- Classroom activities that engage their curiosity
- Self-directed learning opportunities that foster independent thinking
- Encouraging feedback and support that build self-confidence
- And enjoyable experience with a happy, encouraging teacher
3. Participation in a Community of Montessori Educators
One of the best ways to assure that your child’s school is giving them a great education is to know that the school is constantly connected with other educators. Through the AMS and NCPSA, Montessori teachers are able to:
- Improve their craft at helping students make the most of their education
- Discover new ideas for encouraging a lifetime love for learning
- Foster professional growth that equips them to provide your child with the best classroom experiences
Staying in touch with other Montessori teachers encourages professional development, which ensures our classrooms provide innovative learning experiences for our students. And accreditation organizations like the AMS help our teachers stay connected and up-to-date on the latest in educational techniques and methods that bring out the best in your child.
4. Committed to Growth
A school that has no oversight can stagnate and rest on its laurels. But it’s impossible to receive and maintain our AMS/NCPSA accreditation/recognition without having a mindset that growth and improvement are essential to providing your child a superb education.
During the process of accreditation, we examine every area of our school and consider what is going well, what we’d like to enhance, and how we can continue to offer more options to further your child’s growth. We’re always looking for ways to improve the development of our students — which means you can continue to expect your child to experience the very best in their Montessori education.
Invest in Your Child’s Authentic, Results-Driven Montessori Education
For many parents, making the right decision in choosing a school for their son or daughter can be overwhelming. But at Primary Montessori Day School, we believe it should be stress-free to choose a school that provides your child with a genuine Montessori education that leads to their lifetime success.
That’s why we hire experienced staff, use authentic and proven Montessori educational techniques, and maintain our professional accreditation. Primary Montessori Day School is proud to be accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) — assuring your child the best Montessori education available.
We invite you to see for yourself the impact an authentic Montessori education makes. Download our FREE Comparison Guide & Worksheet to help you compare schools. It’s full of tips including what to look for in determining the best fit for your child.
Contact us to schedule a tour to view our classrooms, walk the grounds, and meet our caring, skilled Montessori staff.