Not all Montessori programs are created equal. The following is a checklist to assist you in finding an authentic Montessori program with a genuine approach. Additional, in-depth resources are linked at the bottom of this list:

[ ] Lead teachers are Montessori-educated and certified.

[ ] The campus and classroom environments are clean, organized, and calm.

[ ] The school administration is available and informative.

[ ] Parents are encouraged to become involved, not just in the school's activities, but in the education style and learning of their children.

[ ] Each classroom represents a mixed age grouping for the entire day (1-3 year olds in Toddler, 3-6 year olds in Primary and 6-9 or 6-12 year olds in Elementary).

[ ] The children are focused on their work and are interested and engaged.

[ ] Each classroom is fully equipped with all of the traditional Montessori materials.

[ ] The materials are made of natural elements such as wood, glass, and cloth, with very limited amounts of plastic.

[ ] The classrooms contain Sensorial, Practical Life, and Academic areas.

[ ] Art and music are incorporated into the curriculum.

[ ] The instructors support the "follow the child" philosophy of children working at their individual pace.

[ ]There is a long, uninterrupted work cycle twice daily.

[ ] Children are permitted to repeat work as many times as they need.

[ ] There is robust attention given to social emotional learning and conflict resolution?

For additional information, please see these Montessori Essentials prepared by the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) and the Maryland State Department of Education’s checklist with more details to help families identify high-quality Montessori schools.