Adolescent Montessori Teacher Diploma

A unique and comprehensive approach to learning about how the Montessori method applies to children ages 12-18. This course reviews Maria Montessori’s insights on the adolescent plane of development, the science that informs and supports her methods, and how to practice and apply these principles in real-life classrooms today. Designed for experienced educators looking to earn a Montessori Teacher Diploma and for those beginning their careers in Montessori education, specializing in the 12-18 age range.

The course includes in-person intensive work over two summers, with virtual and individual study throughout the school year. It is designed to work around a full-time teaching schedule, allowing current teachers to deepen their practice while working.

The course delivery includes in-person immersive learning experiences, online seminars and group discussions, individual study and application, observations both of your and other guides’ practice, and in-school teaching.

Our online classes are offered at different times of the day in order to make it possible to attend classes wherever you are in the world, and our live offerings can be completed in one of several locations

True to Montessori philosophy, we assess learning and performance in a way that encourages student-driven goal setting. Students demonstrate mastery of the concepts by showing how they apply Montessori pedagogy in their own classrooms or in their practice teaching, and build a robust portfolio of evidence for their knowledge and skills.

At the end of the course, you will obtain a fully certified diploma from Prepared Montessorian Institute, which is accredited by MACTE.

Part 1: In-Residency

The in-residency portion of the course consists of two week-long, full-time in person training sessions over two concurrent summers. Our current location is in Lake Forest, CA and we are actively adding additional locations across the United States and internationally. Remote attendance may be acceptable during COVID restrictions.

During on-site residency, you will have the opportunity to enter a simulated adolescent community and to experience the way trainers (acting as guides) launch the important routines and learning structures you will carry out with your own students. In the first summer you will complete a personal project in the same way your students will approach self-driven project work. For the second summer, the focus will shift to principles of curriculum design.

Part 2: Continuous Studies

Areas of study are designed to balance theoretical understanding with practical application: Montessori Vision and Practice, Reflective Cycle, Observation, Principles and Methods of Coaching, Planning Mastery Exhibitions, Personal Goal Setting and Self-Assessment, Supporting Student Project Work, Structures of Inquiry and Rigor, Planning for Place and Field, Domain Best Practices in Planning and Instruction.

Part 3: Practicum

This component occurs over two academic years and should be completed concurrently with Part Two. Student teaching and observation take place during the workday in an adolescent community. During your student teaching, you will host observations by the Adolescent Training Team. You will also need to devote time each week to student assessment routines, working with coaches, communicating with families and meeting with your campus guide team. During the first year you will travel to an ATI campus to observe and participate for three days. You will also spend at least one day observing a children’s house and elementary community.

We will review mastery-based assessment, including the principles of mastery learning and how they relate to Montessori philosophy. We will assess learning and performance in a way that encourages student-driven goal setting and real-world achievements. This means that students respond to clear, co-created learning objectives and produce real-world evidence of their mastery of these objectives. We will discuss the crucial importance of formative feedback to the learning cycle, and the nature of a mastery-based (evidence- based) assessment practice.

If you complete and pass all of the required components of our Adolescent training course and you already have a bachelor’s degree, you will receive a full diploma from our training center, which is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you can receive an Associate's Diploma until you complete your Bachelor's Degree. If you complete a bachelor’s degree within 3 years of graduation from our course, you can turn that Associate’s Diploma into a Full Diploma without completing any additional coursework.

Prepared Montessorian Institute is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council of Teacher Education (MACTE). Known and respected across the world, it is the only accrediting body for Montessori teacher education programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

$7500 for the entire certification training (excluding travel and technology costs).

If you need to travel to your practicum site or in-residency, the costs are your responsibility. Any supplies and technology need to access the training (i.e., laptop, internet, webcam) are also your responsibility. Once in-person student teaching resumes, adult learners are required to have at least one field visit by a Prepared Montessorian consultant. Adult learners will be responsible for the expenses for this field visit (travel, accommodations, meals, etc).

Applicants can request either or both a scholarship and payment plan. Prepared Montessorian Institute evaluates applicant's responses and references in each cohort to determine the pool of applicants that are requesting scholarships and subsequently, determine if and how much of a scholarship is awarded. Payment options are as follows:

• Pay in full within the first month of training

• Pay in 5 installments

• Pay first installment prior to start of training in order to be onboarded into training

• Pay subsequent monthly payments in the 4 consecutive months following the start month

• Installment fee of $10 (US) added to each monthly installment

• Pay in 10 installments

• Pay first installment prior to start of training in order to be onboarded into training

• Pay subsequent monthly payments in the 9 consecutive months following the start month

• Installment fee of $10 (US) added to each monthly installment

Details of financial package will be outlined in training offer if accepted into program. You will need to accept those payment terms as part of your acceptance into the training.

Currently, our cohorts are with our partner, Guidepost Academy, and their staff. We plan to open to learners outside of the ATI network.

Complete this form to be added to our interest list. We will reach out when we do have our next cohort details.

If you're eager to begin your learning process, we do have early childhood and elementary training offerings coming up more quickly.