What is Montessori
The Montessori Approach
Montessori is more than an educational method – it’s a philosophy of respect and a proven approach that nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
The Philosophy
Developed over a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, this approach recognizes that children are naturally curious, capable, and eager to learn when given the right environment and guidance. Montessori classrooms are thoughtfully designed to support each child’s individual development, helping them grow into confident, independent compassionate people.
The 5 Core Components
At Milestone, we follow the five core components that define an authentic Montessori program, as outlined by the American Montessori Society (AMS):
Trained Montessori Teachers
Our educators are certified by a Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) approved program, meaning they are trained to observe, guide, and support - not instruct in the traditional sense. They respect each child’s rhythm and readiness, creating a deeply personalized experience.
Multi-Age Groups
Children learn in communities spanning 2–3 years, allowing for natural mentorship, collaboration, and leadership. Younger children learn by observing older peers, and older children reinforce their knowledge by helping others.
Use of Montessori Materials
Our classrooms are filled with beautiful, hands-on materials that invite exploration and make abstract concepts concrete. Everything has a purpose - and nothing is “just a toy.” These materials grow with the child, allowing for increasingly complex learning.
Child-Directed Work
Children choose their own activities from a range of meaningful options. This freedom within structure builds decision-making skills, deep focus, and intrinsic motivation - skills that serve them for life.
Uninterrupted Work Periods
We honor children’s concentration by offering uninterrupted blocks of time to explore their work. This allows for deeper engagement, creativity, and the satisfaction that comes from mastering something through effort.
Our Commitment to Authentic Montessori: The AMS Accreditation Pathway
Montessori is not just a label - it’s a standard. That’s why we’ve chosen to pursue accreditation through the American Montessori Society (AMS), the leading voice for Montessori education in the United States.
AMS accreditation is a rigorous, voluntary process that ensures a school is faithfully implementing Montessori principles in every area - from teacher training and classroom environments to leadership, curriculum, and parent partnerships.
From the very beginning, we’ve made this commitment a cornerstone of who we are.
Where We Are on the Pathway
We are proud to share that from the day we opened, our school was recognized as a Verified School on the AMS Pathway of Continuous School Improvement – Step 2 of the accreditation journey. This means we already meet many essential indicators of a high-quality Montessori program, including:
- Employing properly trained Montessori educators
- Using authentic Montessori materials and methods
- Maintaining multi-age classrooms
- Supporting child-led learning with uninterrupted work periods
- Upholding Montessori philosophy throughout the school
Where We're Headed
Becoming fully accredited is a multi-year, in-depth process - and we are fully committed to continuing this path. As we grow, we will undergo peer-reviewed self-studies, continuous improvement planning, and eventually a full accreditation site visit by AMS representatives.
Why does this matter to you as a parent?
It means you can trust that we are constantly holding ourselves to the highest standards in Montessori education. You’re not just choosing a school - you’re choosing a program committed to excellence, transparency, and ongoing growth.
We believe children deserve the very best, and AMS accreditation is one way we make sure we deliver just that.