The CCMA

“Montessori” is just a word in the public domain. If the word “MONTESSORI” appears in the name of a school, this DOES NOT GUARANTEE that a Montessori education is being offered!!

The CCMA strongly urges parents to learn what constitutes a Montessori education and to visit schools.

Please, take a minute to view this video.

The CCMA provides 5 different membership levels to it’s members

Membership Level	Description
Accredited Member	Those administrators whose schools have been evaluated and approved for accreditation by the CCMA.“Accredited Member” Requirements Each classroom has at least one teacher with a recognized age-appropriate Montessori Teaching Certificate issued by a MACTE accredited or AMI teacher-training program, or any other teacher training program that may be recognized by the CCMA. Each classroom has a “Full Range” of Montessori materials. Each classroom has 3 year multi-age groupings (i.e. 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) Programs for children 3-6 years of age require attendance five days per week. The school has a policy of admitting students to programs at an appropriate age level consistent with Montessori principles (typically not after the year in which the child turns 4 years of age). The school meets the relevant requirements for local Building, Health & Safety, and Fire codes. The school carries liability insurance. The school is guided by the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. The school agrees to abide by the CCMA Code of Ethics. The school has successfully completed the Accreditation process, including a comprehensive review of the policies, standards and practices of the school, by a CCMA Accreditation Review team.
Associate Member	Those administrators whose schools have been evaluated and approved for associate status“Associate Member” Requirements Each classroom has at least one teacher with a recognized age-appropriate Montessori Teaching Certificate issued by a MACTE accredited or AMI teacher-training program, or any other teacher training program that may be recognized by the CCMA. Each classroom has a “Full Range” of Montessori materials. Each classroom has 3 year multi-age groupings (i.e. 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) Programs for children 3-6 years of age require attendance five days per week. The school has a policy of admitting students to programs at an appropriate age level consistent with Montessori principles (typically not after the year in which the child turns 4 years of age). The school meets the relevant requirements for local Building, Health & Safety, and Fire codes. The school carries liability insurance. The school is guided by the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. The school agrees to abide by the CCMA Code of Ethics.
Affiliate Member	Those administrators whose schools have been evaluated and approved for affiliate status.“Affiliate Member” Requirements Each classroom has at least one teacher with a Montessori Teaching Certificate. Each classroom has a “Basic Range” of Montessori materials. The school meets the relevant requirements for local Building, Health & Safety, and Fire codes. The school carries liability insurance. The school is guided by the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. The school agrees to abide by the CCMA Code of Ethics.
Training Institute Member	Those administrators whose schools have been evaluated and approved for training institute status.“Training Institute” Member Requirements The Montessori Teacher Training Institute shall offer programs that are MACTE accredited, AMI accredited or otherwise recognized by the CCMA.
Alumni Member	A former administrator of a Montessori School.“Training Institute” Member Requirements The Montessori Teacher Training Institute shall offer programs that are MACTE accredited, AMI accredited or otherwise recognized by the CCMA.