The Montessori School of Marion provides an authentic Montessori education and is the only school in Iowa to hold a full membership with the American Montessori Society (AMS).
Currently at MSM
MSM is soon to be the only American Montessori Society (AMS) accredited school in the state of Iowa.
AMS accreditation affirms that a school meets a standard of excellence recognized within the Montessori community and by educators worldwide. It proves that the school truly upholds authentic Montessori values and abides by Montessori principles. Accreditation also provides assurance to families that their child's school is a quality one and that it is accountable to a larger body.
AMS Membership in a Nutshell
For Montessori schools, American Montessori Society (AMS) membership is a way to endorse and engage with the world’s foremost proponent of quality Montessori education. The American Montessori Society offers 3 levels of membership for schools: initiate, associate, and full.
Schools that are just forming or schools that are new to AMS may join at this level. Initiate member schools are not eligible for AMS accreditation.
Furthermore, they are not required to have properly trained lead directresses.
At the associate level, the lead teacher in some, but not all, of the school’s classrooms must hold credentials issued by a teacher education program affiliated with AMS by AMS or by a program accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).
Associate member schools are not eligible for AMS accreditation.
For a school to join at this level, all classroom lead teachers must hold Montessori credentials issued by AMS or MACTE.
Only full member schools may apply for AMS accreditation, which involves a rigorous process of review and evaluation.
MSM is a full member school.
An Introduction to Montessori
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A Glimpse Into Our Days
“We have loved this program from the start! Ms. Aurora and all the teachers helped from the beginning with my child’s separation anxiety and she quickly overcame her fears and now loves going to school. I’ve been amazed at the curriculum and how much she has learned. Our daughter constantly sings about the continents, planets and now dinosaurs....all because of what she’s learned at school. We are looking forward to our next few years at MSM.”
“We are true believers in the Montessori programs. Aurora is such a wonderful director, teacher, and friend to these children and is so passionate about Montessori. We feel very blessed to be a part of the Montessori School of Marion!”