Are Montessori schools all equal? (accreditation, preschool, teachers, accredited)

[mille]

We're considering moving and visited the area we're going to settle. I saw numerous preschools with 'Montessori' name. Do they typically all follow same curriculum or are there deviations? I wonder if there are any out there who jsut call themselves 'Montessori' without delivering what they advertise. Does anyone have any advise?

[uptown_urbanist]

No. They can vary tremendously. I believe anyone can use the term "Montessori," although there are organizations that offer formal accreditation to Montessori schools. If there are specific aspects of the Montessori approach that matter to you I would make sure to confirm that your potential school does indeed follow them.

[nana053]

Montessori is not a trademarked or copyrighted name so anyone can call themselves Montessori even if their teachers are not trained.

For true Montessori schools, find one affiliated with the one of the Montessori Accrediting organizations.

Association Montessori Internationale

or

Home | American Montessori Society

Note that some schools that are not accredited do follow the Montessori curriculum and use Montessori materials, but they may have teachers who are not certified in the method from the organizations above. They also may add other things to their curriculum.