The IMC accreditation standards provide clear, actionable guidelines for policies, procedures, and practices that schools are expected to adopt and maintain.
Fostering Best Practices: The Purpose of IMC School Accreditation
The primary goal of the IMC’s school accreditation program is to equip Montessori school leaders—administrators and trustees alike—with a deep understanding of essential Best Practices for effective leadership and sustainable school development. IMC recognizes that fully implemented Montessori programs earn public trust through their impact on children’s lives. To that end, our Best Practices focus on the core operational areas that uphold the quality and integrity of the educational program and ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
Informing Families’ Choice: Understanding IMC Accreditation Standards
A secondary but vital purpose of IMC accreditation is to serve the public by helping families identify Montessori schools that meet recognized standards of excellence. Accreditation signals a school’s voluntary commitment to ongoing improvement and external review, though it does not guarantee specific student outcomes or eliminate all risks. Unlike mandatory licensing, IMC accreditation is a voluntary process designed to exceed minimum requirements and promote high standards within the global Montessori community.
| Accreditation Fees | Annual Membership Dues and Accreditation Fees | Additional Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accreditation Application | $225 | School Membership Annual Dues | $750 | One-year Accreditation Extension | $225 |
| One time Candidacy Fee | $350 | Accredited School Annual Dues | $550 | Re-accreditation Application Fee | $225 |
| Guided Accreditation Journey | $1,250 | Teacher Portfolio Review (non-MACTE credentialed teachers) | $500 (per portfolio) | ||
| Annual Accreditation Fee | $550 | Satellite Location Annual Dues (per satellite) | $225 | ||
| Self Study Fee | $650 | ||||
| Onsite Visit (Estimated Cost) | $3,000-$5,000 |
Building your Montessori Muscles
So I really don’t workout but I heard it said once that working out isn’t how you feel when you get started but how you feel with the results. That’s a lot like the IMC Accreditation! Getting started is the hardest part but the results are definitely worth it! Our school is fitter, healthier and stronger because of IMC Accreditation. The hard work really does pay off…it builds your Montessori muscles!
Patty Sobelman, Principal of Pines Montessori School
Our Accredited Schools:
- Montessori Academy, TN, USA
- Ghent Montessori School, VA, USA
- Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake, UT, USA
- Innovation Montessori Ocoee Charter School, FL, USA
- AMARE Montessori School, TN, USA
- Providence Montessori School, KY, USA
- Przedszkole Montessori “Chatka” Natolin, WAW, POLAND
- Montessori Educational Center, LA, USA
- YNZ Montessori High School, Oranjestad, ARUBA
- Christian Montessori Academy, OK, USA
- The Montessori School of Tokyo, TKY, JAPAN
- Bowman School, CA, USA
- IMS of Hong Kong, CHINA
- Desert Garden Montessori, AZ, USA
- Oneness Family Montessori School, MD, USA
- Sun Grove Montessori School, FL, USA
- NewGate School, FL, USA
- Village Montessori of Bluemont, VA, USA
- Knoxville Montessori School, TN, USA
- Pines Montessori School, TX, USA
- Cattoira Montessori School, FL, USA
Our Candidate Schools:
* Western Pennsylvania Montessori School, PA, USA * Montessori Key West, FL, USA *
* Jakarta Montessori School, INDONESIA * Catskill Montessori School, NY, USA *
* Montessori del Sol, CAYMAN ISLANDS * The Children’s House of Nashville, TN, USA *
* LakeCreek Montessori International School, TX, USA * ANH Montessori School, AR, USA*