Accreditations & Memberships

School Membership

For Montessori schools, AMS membership is a way to endorse and engage with the world’s foremost supporter of quality Montessori education.

We are proudly the ONLY verified Montessori school in Pasco County.

School membership is available to any Montessori school that agrees to comply with the AMS Code of Ethics.

The 5 Core Components of Montessori are:

Properly Credentialed Teachers
Multi-Age Classrooms
Use of Montessori Materials
Child-Directed Work
Uninterrupted Work Cycle

The credential must be issued by a teacher education program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). Currently AMS is the only organization with MACTE-accredited teacher education programs that offer Secondary credentials.

AMS Code of Ethics

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DCF Gold Seal

International Montessori Council (IMC)

The International Montessori Council (IMC) is an international organization of Montessori schools, the men and women who lead them, own them, or serve on their boards, and other organizations interested in supporting the goals of the IMC. As an independent Montessori professional and accrediting organization, the IMC serves the entire Montessori community.

GMS is a full member school, meeting all standards of excellence in accordance with the national guidelines. We also have the honor of being an IMC training facility for new teachers through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies.

Code of Ethics and Principles of Good Practice

Membership in the International Montessori Council shall imply that member schools observe, in spirit as well as in practice, high professional and ethical standards in their relationship with their own students, faculty, and employees, as well as with other schools. This is particularly necessary when there may be overlapping interests between schools with respect to faculty employment and student enrollment.

National Independent Private School Association

Accreditation by NIPSA: We are proud to announce that Garden Montessori School is accredited by the National Independent Private School Association (NIPSA). This prestigious accreditation reflects our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of educational excellence.

Benefits of NIPSA Accreditation: Accreditation by NIPSA signifies that Garden Montessori School has met rigorous standards of quality and accountability in education. It assures parents, students, and the community that our school provides a superior educational experience that prepares students for success in their academic and personal lives.

NIPSA Accreditation Process: Achieving NIPSA accreditation is a rigorous process that involves thorough evaluations and assessments of our school's educational programs, facilities, and policies. Garden Montessori School has undergone comprehensive reviews to ensure that we meet and exceed NIPSA's stringent criteria for accreditation.

Continuous Improvement: At Garden Montessori School, we view NIPSA accreditation as a catalyst for continuous improvement. We are committed to utilizing the feedback and insights gained through the accreditation process to enhance our educational offerings and create an even more enriching experience for our students.

https://www.nipsa.org/

Garden Montessori School is a NGSC Certified Level III Green School and a Platinum Green Certified Business

Since its inception, Garden Montessori School has emphasized sustainability and environmental stewardship as it directly relates to our green mission, “GMS is dedicated to the preservation of the environment and all life on our Earth. We are committed to environmentally conscience practices, role modeling our vales to the families we serve and the community."

GMS became the first “Gold Seal Level II Certified” Green preschool in the United States in 2009 by a National Third Green Audit Program. We were proud to announce our elevation from a Level II to a Level III certification of excellence in 2013. Currently, with its continued commitment to making a difference for our planet, we recently achieved Platinum certification status through the Green Business Bureau, a National, Third-Party Green Business certification company.

The term " Green School ", is a chemical-free, pesticide-free and herbicide-free environment. We have stepped forward on these changes for the benefit of our children and staff.

Over the years, medical research has proven the dangers of cleaning chemicals and especially pesticides to children's health. Unhealthy fumes can irritate children's eyes, nose and lungs. These same chemicals are also suspected of causing cancer. Scientists have linked such health problems as Asthma, Kawasaki Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder to the use of chemicals.

Use of Environmentally Friendly Products

As with other schools, daily cleaning is a must, and our staff uses environmentally friendly cleaning products for a more healthy environment for the children. Carpets are steamed annually using natural products, and the older students are encouraged to clean up using healthier methods that have less potential to aggravate breathing issues such as asthma and allergies. With less toxic cleaning materials being used in the building, we offer a healthy working environment for the students and staff members.

Some products used on campus:

Gojo Mild Green Seal Certified Hand Cleaner: clear biodegradable formula is environmentally responsible without sacrificing performance.
Seventh Generation plant-based products including their Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent, Botanical Disinfectants Disinfecting Wipes.
Sustainable Earth toilet paper and unbleached paper towels. These products are made with renewable resources, recycled materials, and/or third-party certified green.

Recycle and Reuse

GMS implements a comprehensive recycling program throughout the school, in every classroom and office space. Paper bins are placed around the school to encourage participation from all of the building’s occupants, from the 18-month-old students to the adults. Families who wish to participate may bring in their recycling products to the school's recycle container and are encouraged to do so to make recycling even more meaningful for their children.

Composting and Organic Gardening

GMS also has designated areas for composting and gardening. We encourage the children's involvement with preparing the garden and tending to the plants using organic materials. We are beginning to add to our compost pile by encouraging the children and the staff to use scraps from their lunch throughout the week. By composting the scraps, we can use this to help fertilize our garden in an environmentally friendly way.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a formal, rigorous process that ensures a school meets and maintains high standards of educational excellence involving thorough evaluations and assessments of the school's educational programs, facilities, and policies. Garden Montessori School has undergone comprehensive external reviews of our academic programs, faculty qualifications, leadership, governance, operations, and student experience to ensure that we meet and exceed the stringent criteria for accreditation.

At Garden Montessori School, we are proud to be fully accredited by the National Independent Private School Association (NIPSA). This prestigious accreditation award reflects our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of educational excellence. It assures parents, students, and the community that our school provides a superior educational experience that prepares students for success in their academic and personal lives.

Why Accreditation Matters

Not all schools that use the Montessori name follow its philosophy with fidelity. In fact, the term “Montessori” is not trademarked, so any school can call itself Montessori—even if it doesn’t follow the core principles or use trained Montessori educators.

What Sets Us Apart

We are proud to be the only verified Montessori school in Pasco County!

We ensure that your child’s Montessori experience is authentic, intentional, and of the highest quality. Families choose GMS because they know their child will be seen, supported, and challenged in a learning environment that prioritizes both academic and social-emotional growth.

At Garden Montessori School, we view accreditation as a catalyst for continuous improvement. We are committed to utilizing the feedback and insights gained through the accreditation process to enhance our educational offerings and create an even more enriching experience for our students.