While not all Montessori schools are certified, most are. And, if you’re considering a Montessori education for your child, you should factor this into your decision about which school is the right fit.
There are many certifying or accrediting centres for Montessori programs in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere. In Canada, the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA) is the dominant one.
The CCMA is a Canadian, not-for-profit centre. It promotes standards of excellence in Montessori education through the accreditation of schools. It also provides support and service, as well as a unified voice for its members across Canada. The CCMA is the only certifying body for early learning centres in Canada and is the leading accrediting centre for Canadian Montessori schools. There are more than 100 CCMA-accredited and applicant Montessori schools in Canada.
On the CCMA website, you can find the criteria for becoming a member school. You can also find a CCMA Montessori school locator.
CCMA history
The CCMA was founded in 1977 by a small group of dedicated administrators who were committed to supporting each other and promoting public awareness of what an authentic Montessori school offers to families. Today there are more than 100 schools in the organization ranging in size from 30 students to larger schools of over 700 students. Toddler, early childhood, elementary, and teenage programs are all represented within CCMA schools.
CCMA vision: student-based learning
CCMA schools implement an education that meets the needs of each individual child and inspires them to make the world a better place.
CCMA values (to learn more, read their code of ethics)
To have respect at the core of everything it does
To be transformative leaders in creating excellence in Montessori schools
To be supportive and collaborative
To build partnerships
To promote joy and spontaneity in its learning communities
To learn more about the CCMA, visit their website. You can also read our guide to Montessori education to learn about the CCMA, other accrediting organizations, and Montessori education in general.
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