What is Accreditation
Accreditation is a pathway to excellence, helping Montessori schools uphold and enhance their commitment to Montessori values while fostering a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement.
Why Accreditation Matters
Making Good Schools Better
Accreditation is designed to elevate Montessori schools, ensuring they:
- Preserve the philosophy and spirit of Montessori education.
- Maintain consistency in standards across their programs.
- Stay accountable to families, communities, and fellow Montessori institutions.
The Benefits of Accreditation
For Your School
- Encourages self-reflection and professional growth.
- Fosters a school-wide culture of inquiry and improvement.
- Supports the documentation and organization of policies and practices.
For the Montessori Community
- Strengthens collective accountability.
- Promotes shared standards and best practices.
For Families and Students
- Provides assurance of quality and adherence to Montessori principles.
- Demonstrates a commitment to excellence and growth.
The Montessori Canada Accreditation Process
The Montessori Canada Accreditation process is a thorough and detailed approach to ensuring that Accredited schools meet the highest standards of Montessori programming. Along the way schools are supported and guided by Montessori Canada’s Accreditation and Development Lead and team of experienced Montessori school administrators and educators.
Here is a brief overview of the process which can include a mix of both in-person and/or virtual visits:
School Preparation
- Visiting team members are assigned.
- School administration attends a required accreditation meeting.
- Confirmation of meeting accreditation requirements.
- Submission of necessary forms to Montessori Canada.
- The school completes self-reflection documentation, including preparing required policies and procedures, and submits for review.
Verification Site-Visit
- The visiting team conducts a comprehensive on-site review.
- Observations, strengths, and recommendations are discussed with the school administration.
- A draft report is prepared and reviewed, with accreditation status recommendations made to the Montessori Canada Board.
Verification Follow-up
- The school receives the final accreditation report.
- If requirements are met, the school is granted accreditation and receives a certificate.
- Schools needing further action have one year to meet requirements, with a follow-up visit to confirm compliance.
Ready to Begin?
Take the first step toward Accreditation and make your school the best it can be.