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Anonymous wrote:

Why the split? Why did Montessori need to even fight it?

I think that article explains the split in a pretty even-handed way, but an oversimplification is that AMI believes that Montessori programs should be implemented as faithfully as possible to Maria Montessori's original lesson plans, and AMS believes that her lesson plans, while very good and a departure point, are in some cases inconsistent with modern educational research, and in those cases, modern research should prevail. I see merits to both positions.

As for why her son was willing to sue over it, I don't know. Charitably, he sincerely believed the AMS standards were harmful. Cynically, like all children of famous people, he probably wanted to maintain tight control over his mother's ideas, both for personal and monetary reasons.

This statement alone makes me skeptical of AMI.

Maria Montessori wasn't God. She was a regular human being who had some specific ideas about education. She had some great ideas on how to educate slum children in Italy and make them into good factory workers. Since many of the skills that benefit factor workers in Italy, like self regulation, counting, and reading are pretty universal, many of her ideas translate well into modern practice, but since there are other skills that modern, college bound, American kids need, it makes sense to incorporate other methods.

Education is about the only field I can think of where it's acceptable to dismiss all research from the past century. I can not for the life of me understand why this is. Would anyone feel the same way if their doctor limited herself to 100 year old methods?

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Anonymous wrote:We had been considering Franklin down the road but obviously are now put off by this. Are there any alternatives in NW?

Many alternatives. Can you be more specific? Do you want Montessori or full-time? Same general location? Or just another good option? What age?

Montessori would be preferable, but just another good option would be good to know too. Age is 3YO. We need a full-day program. Thank you!

There are other options. Have you tried The Goddard School?

Broad Branch Children's House. In CCDC.

Aidan Montessori is an excellent AMI-certified Montessori school in NW - our family has been very happy there. It has full-day options depending on the age.

AMI is the authentic certification. Maria Montessori's son, another physician, fought the newer bogus certification, but lost in the American court system.

If you want the true Montessori, only AMI qualifies.

Ha! First, neither would claim that, nor would either's Montessori educators. You sound like you swallowed some school's marketing to justify really high tuition.
The fact is the real problem is that over time, as the pressure mounts to backfill open positions with any certified teachers, while still making a profit, that some Montessori schools can fall out of practice. Parents should look to go to a school with all or almost all educators certified in either AMI and/or AMS - it beats the reality of a school where educators don't have any certification from either.