Hong Kong Montessori Research and Development Association

1. Who supervises Montessori schools?

The name "Montessori" is not registered or trademarked. Any school or centre can claim they are Montessori even if they do not actually use Montessori method nor have qualified teachers. The Montessori Accreditation Organizations in each country can only regulate teacher education programmes, but cannot regulate anyone who uses the name "Montessori".

Parents should be careful in choosing authentic Montessori schools.

2. What are the requirements for an authentic Montessori school?

Teacher: Each classroom has at least one qualified Montessori teacher (see question 3 and 4)
Pedagogy: practicing true Montessori method
Environment: shall comply with the provisions of the Montessori Associations
Learning materials: Montessori learning materials must be complete, the teacher shall also design materials according to children's interests and local culture

3. How can I tell whether a Montessori teacher is qualified? How to tell if a teacher education program is authentic?

Qualified Montessori teacher has to study and train in true Montessori teacher education programs, with a minimum of 200 hours academic component and 200 hours practicum, such as the teacher education programmes by the Hong Kong Montessori Research and Development Association (HKMRDA). The program is based on the standards of Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). The requirement for HKMRDA teacher trainers is the same as American Montessori Society (AMS).
An International Montessori Teacher License refers to the license issued by AMS, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) or other teacher education centers that are accredited by MACTE, with a minimum of 200-320 hours academic component and 540 hours practicum.
International Montessori teacher education organizations has strict requirements for the ability and experience of teacher trainers. Be reminded that "teacher trainers" of some teacher training courses are not qualified in that they have not received any genuine Montessori teacher training and practicum. Our founders now serve as teacher trainers for HKMRDA and AMS.
Genuine Montessori schools accept only teachers with a qualified Montessori teacher license, such as AMS, AMI and HKMRDA.

4. Are Montessori distance-learning or short teacher training courses recognized?

Montessori accreditation organizations do NOT recognize licenses, diplomas or certificates obtained by distance-learning or short courses only (without a long period of practicum) to be a Montessori teacher.