Montessori School Leadership Course starting online June 7, 2026

Montessori School Leadership Course

More Information

Maybe it is you:

You are leading a Montessori school as a director, founder, or administrator, and want to enhance your leadership skills while staying true to Montessori principles.
You seek a deeper understanding of Montessori school management from strategic planning and staff development to creating a thriving school community.
You want to ensure long-term success for your school by strengthening your ability to support teachers, collaborate with parents, and maintain high educational standards.
You are looking for an internationally recognized certification
to validate your expertise and commitment to high-quality Montessori leadership.

In this course, you will:

Develop essential leadership skills
Learn how to effectively manage a Montessori school while upholding its core principles.
Gain practical tools for school administration
Explore strategies for staff development, financial sustainability, and community engagement.
Strengthen your ability to support teachers and parents
Foster collaboration and create a thriving Montessori environment.
and much more!

Introduction to the Course

The AMI Montessori School Leadership Course is designed for school leaders, founders, and administrative staff seeking to strengthen their expertise in Montessori school management and leadership.

Hybrid format
Part of the course held onsite in Bloomfield, CT part held online on Zoom
46 hours
Guidance of AMI trainers,
Sue Pritzker & Todd Covert
Certificate awarded by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
International students
welcome
Price: $1,500.00 US
Payment in 3 installments WITHOUT interest available.

What is the role of an administrator in a Montessori school?

An administrator in a Montessori school plays a vital role in creating a supportive and well-functioning environment for children, teachers, and parents. Their primary responsibility is not direct teaching, but ensuring that the school operates smoothly while upholding Montessori principles.

A Montessori administrator guides the school’s vision and strategy, oversees daily operations, and fosters a strong community. They provide essential support to teachers, helping maintain a prepared environment where children can thrive. Through careful leadership and collaboration, they facilitate staff development, financial sustainability, and strong relationships with families.

By balancing practical management with a deep respect for Montessori philosophy, administrators ensure that the school remains a place of independence, self-confidence, and lifelong learning for all involved.

Teachers sitting at a table, in a meeting

General information about the course

48 hours of the course

of lectures and guidance of the trainers, engaging discussions and self-study

Personalized documents

creation (e.g., Strategic Plan or Journey Map)

3 hours of observation

of obligatory observation to be done within 12 weeks after the course

Reading

of inspiring texts by Girlato, Grazzini, Lillard and others.

Learning outcomes and key benefits

During the first days of the course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the core principles of Montessori education. The course then delves deeper into the intricacies of school administration across various areas, with a focus on working with school culture and different communities. The course covers key topics such as how to cooperate with parents to maintain their support, understanding the mindset of school staff and strategies for achieving further development, and identifying the main goals of school administration to ensure the school functions effectively.

In addition, the course provides concrete strategies for working with school staff, including guides, assistants, and other personnel, to ensure smooth operations of the school. Students will learn how to support employees, how to approach new teachers and assistants during the early stages of their careers, and how to collaborate with experienced staff in an effective manner. The course also places an emphasis on strategic guidance of the school from a leadership position, keeping the “Big Picture” and long-term development in mind, while maintaining the high quality of education and the professional lives of staff.

Throughout the course, students will have access to a variety of materials and tools that they can take away and use in their practice, such as a strategic plan for their school. They will have the opportunity to learn from experienced AMI trainers, Sue Pritzker and Todd Covert, study alongside colleagues from around the world, engage in lively discussions, and share their experiences with others, as well as gain new perspectives themselves.

All successful course graduates will receive a worldwide recognized international certificate from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).

AMI Montessori School Leadership Course program:

The Montessori School Leadership Course is designed for school leaders, administrators, and decision-makers who wish to enhance their understanding of Montessori principles and apply them to school management. This program equips participants with essential skills in visionary leadership, strategic planning, and school community building while maintaining the integrity of authentic Montessori education.

PART 1: Core Considerations
for Administrators

Biography of Dr Montessori and an introduction to the concept of education as an aid to life
The role of the Montessori teacher and assistant and how the prepared adult can support the development of the child
Montessori’s framework outlining the different characteristics of needs of people at different stages of development and how we can support this
The role and nature of the prepared environment (including the physical and the intangible aspects)
Understanding the concept of Freedom from the Montessori point of view and the growth of Discipline as an inner development

Course Structure and Duration

48 hours of lectures and guided study.
3 hours of observation completed during or after the course with specific focus topics.
HYBRID format (ONSITE attendance + ONLINE attendance)
The course must be completed within 12 weeks.

PART 2: Your School as a Community
within a Community

Overview of Montessori education around the world
Defining the growing school and how it responds to the needs of children in each plane of development.
Understanding of the major areas of difference between Montessori and mainstream education
Understanding obstacles to school growth in relation to the school community and ways to manage a school through difficulties
Involving the parent community in your school or centre to achieve the best outcomes for everyone
Introduction to topics and managing community education involving parents and others
Improving communication skills to enhance relationships within the school community

Certification Requirements

Completion of 90% attendance in all live sessions.
Submission of detailed observation notes.
All coursework must be completed within 12 weeks after the course ends.

PART 3: Being an Effective Montessori School Administrator

The role of visionary leadership in a Montessori context
An overview and the practical application of the Montessori curriculum in early childhood and school settings
Understanding how teachers grow and develop in Montessori settings and how best to work with them
Planning for improvement, sustainability and growth of school
Basic mentoring skills development and the importance of professional development and staff evaluation procedures
Identifying quality practice and Implementing an evaluation and quality assurance program
Observation of Montessori environments to guide teaching and learning

Acknowledgment: MTCNE gratefully acknowledges the Montessori Institute of Prague for its foundational work in developing materials that communicate the vision, purpose, and benefits of the AMI Montessori School Leadership (MSL) program. Our program description has been informed by and adapted from materials developed by the Montessori Institute of Prague, and we are pleased to recognize their contribution.