3. How can I tell if a school is truly Montessori certified?
The term "Montessori" is not legally protected, meaning any school can use it and claim to be Montessori, regardless of adherence to authentic Montessori principles.
Rainbow Montessori is an authentic Montessori school led by MACTE accredited trained teachers, certified materials, and a philosophy rooted Montessori methods. Our schools also follow Ontario Ministry of Education standards.
To identify a genuine Montessori school, parents should look for:
~ Certified Montessori educators (e.g., AMI, MACTE)
~ Montessori-specific materials
~ Mixed-age classrooms and smaller more personalized class sizes with low student to teacher ratio
~ A calm, structured, child-led environment
We encourage families to ask questions, observe classrooms and don't be afraid to ask for proof of staff certifications when choosing a Montessori program!