Continuing Our Commitment to Excellence in Montessori Education
We are proud to share that Sammamish Montessori School (SMS) has been officially re-accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) through 2032. This prestigious recognition affirms our unwavering dedication to providing the highest-quality Montessori education and our ongoing commitment to self-reflection, growth, and excellence.
SMS remains one of only 9 Montessori schools in Washington state and one of the 204 schools nationwide to earn AMS accreditation—a distinction held by only the most dedicated and high-performing Montessori programs. This honor reflects our adherence to the rigorous standards of AMS and positions our school among the most respected and well-established Montessori institutions in the United States.
What Accreditation Means
AMS accreditation is not simply a recognition—it is a comprehensive process designed to ensure a school is delivering authentic Montessori education and operating at the highest levels of professional practice. According to the American Montessori Society, the accreditation process includes the following core stages (AMS School Accreditation)
Self-Study:
A detailed, introspective evaluation conducted by school leaders and staff. This intensive self-study involves the school’s entire community: staff, faculty, administration, and parents. The self-study documents how the school aligns with AMS’s five key areas: Montessori program, governance, leadership, fiscal responsibility, personnel, and facilities. During the self-study, the school examines and documents every aspect of its program and processes: governance, curriculum, fiscal and personnel policies, facilities, health and safety practices, teacher preparation, and learner outcomes. Through this introspective process, the school identifies both its strengths and opportunities for growth. The completed findings are compiled into a formal report and submitted to AMS for review.
On-site Visit:
At the end of the self-study period, the school hosts a team of peers from other AMS-accredited schools for a multi-day on-site visit. The primary goal of this visit is to evaluate the school’s alignment with the AMS Standards & Criteria for Accreditation. During their time on campus, the visiting team conducts classroom observations, reviews documentation, and interviews staff, leadership, and community members to validate the findings of the self-study. This visit not only serves as an objective measure of the school’s performance but also provides valuable insights and affirmation from respected peers, often reinforcing what the school is doing well and offering guidance for continued growth.
The review team prepares a comprehensive report noting areas of strength and opportunities for growth, along with recommendations for improvement. AMS’s Commission on Accreditation reviews the findings and, if all standards are met, grants the school full accreditation or re-accreditation status for a period of seven years.
This process ensures that accredited schools not only meet the gold standard of Montessori education but also continuously evolve and improve, guided by clear goals and reflective practices.
At SMS, re-accreditation is both a celebration and a recommitment. The AMS review team highlighted many strengths within our program, including our deeply experienced teaching staff, our thoughtfully prepared environments, and the strong sense of community among our families. They also provided constructive insights that we have embraced, guiding us as we implement a strategic plan that fosters both academic excellence and the holistic development of every child.
Our re-accreditation through 2032 affirms that we are not only meeting the high expectations of AMS but also fulfilling our mission with integrity, purpose, and a forward-thinking mindset.
This milestone would not have been possible without the passion and professionalism of our incredible faculty and staff, who embody the Montessori philosophy in every lesson, every prepared environment, and every interaction. We are also immensely grateful to our families, whose trust, collaboration, and support continue to enrich the learning journey at SMS.
Together, we are nurturing curious minds, compassionate hearts, and confident learners. We are honored to continue this important work as an AMS-accredited school through 2032 and beyond.
