Is Guidepost Montessori Accredited? That’s probably one of the first questions you’d want to know the answer to if you were considering Guidepost Montessori for your child’s early education, especially if you’re a first time parent.
In this article, we’ll look at Guidepost Montessori’ accreditation and the top 5 Montessori-at-home alternatives.
Is Guidepost Montessori accredited? Guidepost Montessori school has earned accreditation through Cognia, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. Guidepost Montessori is also working on getting accreditation from other accreditation bodies such as American Montessori Society, the Middle States, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
If you’re contemplating taking your child to a Guidepost Montessori but want to know more, then read below as we go further details into what it means to be Montessori accredited, how you can verify accreditation bodies and what your options are if you wanted to go the homeschooling route.
What is Guidepost Montessori?
Guidepost Montessori holds the distinction of being the largest global network of Montessori schools. Their expansive network encompasses physical schools, virtual schools, and Montessori-at-home communities.
With a remarkable presence, they operate 110 Montessori schools across the United States, Asia, and Europe, imparting the Montessori method to numerous students and fostering their educational journey. The available programs offered by Guidepost Montessori vary depending on the location.
However, the majority of their campuses typically offer a comprehensive range of programs, including Nido (infant), toddler, and children’s house programs, catering to children from 6 weeks to 6 years old.
A smaller subset of campuses may additionally provide elementary, middle and high school programs. Certain locations may also feature specialized programs such as Spanish immersion or summer camp programs.
The specific programs available at each campus are determined by the administrative team responsible for that particular location, resulting in variations based on the region and individual campus.
What does it mean for a Montessori school to be accredited?
Accreditation for a Montessori school means that the school has undergone a rigorous evaluation process to ensure it meets certain standards of quality and follows the principles and practices of Montessori education. Accreditation signifies that the school is committed to maintaining high educational standards and continuously improving its programs and practices.
Which accrediting bodies are commonly recognized for Montessori schools?
There are several accrediting bodies that are commonly recognized for Montessori schools. Some of the well-known accreditation bodies include:
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
AMI is one of the oldest and most prestigious Montessori accrediting organizations. It was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori herself and sets high standards for Montessori education.
American Montessori Society (AMS)
AMS is a prominent accrediting organization in the United States. It provides accreditation for Montessori schools and teacher training programs.
International Montessori Council (IMC)
IMC is an organization that offers accreditation and support to Montessori schools worldwide. It focuses on promoting Montessori principles and practices.
Is Guidepost Montessori accredited by a reputable accrediting organization?
Guidepost Montessori is an organization that operates multiple Montessori schools across the United States and internationally. However, as an AI language model, I don’t have access to real-time information about specific accreditations for individual schools or organizations. To determine whether Guidepost Montessori is accredited by a reputable accrediting organization, it would be best to visit their official website, contact them directly, or consult reputable Montessori accrediting bodies such as AMI, AMS, or IMC.
Which accrediting bodies recognize Guidepost Montessori?
To verify which accrediting bodies recognize Guidepost Montessori, it is advisable to visit their official website or contact them directly. They should be able to provide information on their accreditation status and any accrediting bodies they are affiliated with.
How does accreditation ensure the quality of education at Guidepost Montessori?
Accreditation ensures the quality of education at Guidepost Montessori by setting standards and guidelines that the school must meet.
During the accreditation process, schools are evaluated based on various criteria, such as curriculum, teacher qualifications, classroom environment, student assessment, and adherence to Montessori principles and practices. By undergoing this evaluation, Guidepost Montessori demonstrates its commitment to maintaining high-quality education and continuous improvement.
How can you verify a school’s Montessori accreditation?
To verify a school’s Montessori accreditation, you can take the following steps:
Visit the school’s official website
Many schools mention their accreditations on their websites. Look for a dedicated page or section that provides information about their accreditations and affiliations.
Contact the school directly
Reach out to the school’s administration and ask about their accreditation status. They should be able to provide you with information about the accrediting bodies they are associated with.
Check with accrediting organizations
Contact reputable Montessori accrediting bodies such as AMI, AMS, or IMC and inquire about the accreditation status of the school you’re interested in. These organizations maintain databases of accredited Montessori schools and can provide verification.
Of course, you don’t have to take your child to a Montessori school and you can teach your child at home the Montessori way.
Can you Homeschool Using the Montessori Method?
The Montessori method, developed by Maria Montessori, is an educational approach that emphasizes independence, self-directed learning, and hands-on experiences.Â
It is often associated with classroom settings, but many parents and educators choose to apply the Montessori principles and techniques in their homeschooling efforts.
Homeschooling in the Montessori style allows parents to create a learning environment at home that aligns with the core principles of the Montessori Method. Their curriculum fosters independence that extends beyond virtual and homeschool modalities.
This approach to learning involves providing a prepared environment with age-appropriate learning materials, promoting self-paced learning, encouraging exploration and discovery, and fostering independence and responsibility.
Parents can adapt Montessori activities and materials to suit their homeschooling routines and their child’s specific needs and interests.
They can integrate Montessori-inspired lessons, incorporate practical life skills, and encourage hands-on learning experiences within the home environment.
The flexibility of homeschooling allows parents to tailor the Montessori Method to their child’s unique learning style and pace.
While traditional Montessori materials may be available for purchase, there are also many online resources, books, and communities that provide guidance and support for homeschooling in the Montessori style.
By combining the principles of the Montessori Method with the personalized attention and flexibility of homeschooling, parents can create a rich and engaging learning experience for their children.
What is the Montessori School Homeschool Curriculum?
A Montessori-at-home curriculum that adheres to the Montessori Method is centered around child-led learning, incorporating hands-on materials.Â
Initially, children engage with manipulatives, gradually transitioning to more abstract tasks.
When taught using a Montessori-at-home curriculum, children experience a learning environment that values their individual pace.
They are neither hurried nor discouraged from advancing swiftly through the materials, as long as they demonstrate appropriate usage and genuine readiness to move forward.
Top 5 Accredited Montessori School Homeschool Curriculum
- Child of the Redwoods
Child of the Redwoods is widely recognized as one of the tops and highly favored Montessori homeschooling programs available.
It delivers a comprehensive and immersive educational experience that aligns with the expectations one may have when opting for Montessori homeschooling.
Moreover, Child of the Redwoods emphasizes providing ample support to homeschooling families.
The creator of these courses, who offers multiple options to choose from, holds a prominent position and enjoys a strong reputation within the Montessori community.
Notably, Child of the Redwoods stands out for offering some of the most cost-effective Montessori-at-home curriculum choices, particularly when considering the value you receive in return.
- North American Montessori Center
Although there is ongoing discussion regarding the quality of Montessori teacher training offered by NAMC (North American Montessori Center), their homeschooling program is widely acclaimed as outstanding.
By opting for this curriculum, you will not only acquire the skills to effectively present lessons and utilize provided materials, but you will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying Montessori theory, enabling you to implement it more profoundly.
The curriculum package includes six books, essential Montessori materials, as well as an extensive collection of printables, templates, and mastery checklists encompassing hundreds of pages.
- Montessori by Mom
Montessori by Mom has successfully designed their themed curriculum boxes, catering to the needs of homeschooling families.
Many parents embarking on Montessori homeschooling often find themselves unsure of where to begin.
These themed boxes serve as an ideal solution for parents who have already initiated Montessori practices but may feel uncertain about which activities to introduce to their children.
The convenience of having these boxes delivered straight to your doorstep enhances the overall experience.
Furthermore, each theme presented in the boxes offers numerous opportunities for expansion and further exploration, allowing parents to delve deeper into the selected topics.
- Shiller Learning
Shiller Learning stands out as a comprehensive Montessori-at-home curriculum, offering a thorough educational experience.
While its math kit is particularly noteworthy, Shiller Learning also encompasses Practical Life and language arts components.
The curriculum effectively combines authentic Montessori materials and lessons with non-authentic yet Montessori-aligned materials and lessons, resulting in an engaging and hands-on learning journey.
The user-friendly nature of the digital materials further enhances the overall appeal of this curriculum, making it a highly recommended choice.
- Guidepost Montessori
Guidepost Montessori provides a remarkably comprehensive and meticulously crafted Montessori curriculum, surpassing many alternatives available.
They offer various tiers for their curriculum options, including a monthly subscription, a plan that includes necessary materials, and an option that incorporates exciting extracurricular activities like cooking and Spanish.
With the Guidepost curriculum, you can have confidence in its well-structured sequencing, eliminating any uncertainty about when to introduce specific lessons to your child.
Additionally, when you purchase their curriculum, you gain access to valuable mentorship and a supportive community, further enhancing your homeschooling experience.
Summary
Imagining the implementation of Montessori work within the confines of your home, especially without access to all the materials, can be challenging.
However, it is indeed achievable.
Homeschooling your child using the Montessori Method is entirely possible.
It is crucial to keep in mind that Montessori at home will differ significantly from the traditional and certified Montessori classroom setting.
If you approach your Montessori homeschooling journey with the expectation that your home will replicate a classroom, you may encounter frustration for both yourself and your child.
However, it is essential to note that this method of homeschooling serves children from infancy and cradles their early childhood development.
It fosters their love of learning and forms a higher ground education before they enroll in an authentic Montessori school where trained and certified teachers are dedicated to helping your children get the best individualized education and help children develop dedication toward learning.
Choosing the right school can be difficult, but as you learn to discover Montessori, you are already one step closer to finding the right one for your kids.
FAQs
What is the Montessori approach to early education? The Montessori philosophy, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is child-led, promoting independence, a child-centered approach, and hands-on learning. It prioritizes the holistic development of the child, emphasizing kinesthetic and multi-sensory learning experiences, and guiding children on a lifelong journey towards independence and self-determination.
Why choose Montessori for homeschooling? Regardless of their parents’ educational background or household income, prepared Montessorian students consistently achieve above-average scores on achievement tests. Additionally, Montessori homeschooled students demonstrate above-average performance in social, emotional, and psychological development assessments. Furthermore, recent research suggests that adopting a Montessori approach during the early primary education years (ages 3-6) may contribute to heightened happiness and personal fulfillment later in life. Considering these findings, it becomes evident that incorporating a Montessori approach into your homes can improve the professional development of your kids.
How do I get started on using Montessori at home? Montessori principles are not limited to the classroom setting. They can be seamlessly incorporated into your home environment, serving as a valuable connection to reinforce your child’s learning from school. You need to be familiar with the Montessori pedagogy and inhibit Maria Montessori’s aims and objectives for the program.