AMI Primary (3-6) Diploma Programs

Portland, OR

Wed., Apr. 17, 2024, 4:00pm PT – Register
Wed., May 22, 2024, 4:00pm PT –
Register

Meet the Trainer

Info Sessions

Pleasanton, CA

Wed., Mar., 27, 2024, 4:00pm PT – Register
Wed., Apr., 24, 2024, 4:00pm PT –
Register
Wed., May, 29, 2024, 4:00pm PT –
Register
Wed., Jul., 10, 2024, 5:00pm PT –
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Wed., Jul., 24, 2024, 5:00pm PT –
Register

2024-2025 AMI 3-6 Diploma Program Portland, OR

LOCATION
Online and at Montessori Northwest
610 SW Alder St., Suite 721, Portland OR 97205

DATES*
June 5, 2024 - August 7, 2025 View Calendar

TUITION AND FEES
Application Fee: $150 (non-refundable)
Tuition: $13,750
View Sample Enrollment Agreement
+additional fees for certain payment options
Learners are also required to become an AMI member ($99)

MNW Equity in Education Scholarships are available for this program.

ACCREDITATIONS
Association Montessori Internationale AMI
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education MACTE

*Program dates are subject to change.
All programs must reach minimum enrollment in order to begin.
Programs that do not meet minimum enrollment will be canceled.

Completed Applications Due: May 20, 2024

Sarah Werner Andrews
she/her/hers
AMI 3-6 Trainer

SCHEDULE*
Orientation Meeting (required):
May 29, 2024, 10:00-11:30 am (PT) on Zoom or in person (if local) or
June 1, 2024, 3:30-5:00 pm (PT) on Zoom or in person (if local)

Onsite Block #1: June 5 - July 3, 2024
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (PT)

Distance Block #1: September 9 - December 12, 2024
Thursdays, 3:30 - 6:30 pm (PT)

Distance Block #2: January 6 - May 31, 2025
Thursdays, 3:30 - 6:30 pm (PT)

Onsite Block #2: February 24-28, 2025
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (PT)

Onsite Block #3: July 14 - August 7, 2025
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (PT)

NOTES
During Distance Blocks and in between blocks, learners should plan on 10-15 hours per week of self-scheduled work, have consistent access to a Montessori classroom, and complete a minimum of 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching.

DEGREE OPTIONS
Earn a BA, M.Ed, or WA State Teaching Certification through our cooperative programs at Whitworth University. Check out Degree Programs for more details.

2024 -2025 AMI 3-6 Diploma Program Pleasanton, CA

LOCATION
Online and at Montessori School of Pleasanton
3410 Cornerstone Ct., Pleasanton, CA 94566

DATES*
August 12, 2024 - June 24, 2025 View Calendar

TUITION AND FEES
Application Fee: $150 (non-refundable)
Tuition: $13,750
View Sample Enrollment Agreement
+Additional fees for certain payment options
Learners are also required to become an AMI member ($99)

ACCREDITATIONS
Association Montessori Internationale AMI
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education MACTE

*Program dates are subject to change.
All programs must reach minimum enrollment in order to begin.
Programs that do not meet minimum enrollment will be canceled.

Completed Applications Due: July 29, 2024

Jing Zhang
AMI 3-6 Trainer

SCHEDULE*
Onsite Block #1: August 12 - 30, 2024
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PT)

Distance Block #1: September 14, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (PT)

Onsite Block #2: January 6 - 24, 2025
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PT)

Distance Block #2: February 8 - May 3, 2025
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (PT)

Onsite Block #3: June 2 - 24, 2025
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PT)

NOTES
During Distance Blocks and in between blocks, learners should plan on 10-15 hours per week of self-scheduled work, have consistent access to a Montessori classroom, and complete a minimum 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching.

DEGREE OPTIONS
Earn a BA, M.Ed, or WA State Teaching Certification through our cooperative programs at Whitworth University. Check out Degree Programs for more details.

About the AMI 3-6 Diploma Program

  • The Primary Program offers a comprehensive study of Montessori theory and practice for individuals who aspire to work with children in Montessori primary environments (ages three to six). Students in the Primary Program engage deeply with Montessori theory topics, which create the foundation for a Montessori teacher’s work and are constant reference points for the student’s understanding. Topics focus on early childhood development, educational theory, practical implementation, and classroom management from the Montessori perspective.

    Students learn how to create an environment for three to six-year-old children that contains a large variety of materials for the development of coordination, the senses, life skills, literacy, and mathematical understanding. Opportunities for imaginative exploration abound, leading to confident, creative self-expression. Children achieve these developments through learning materials, games, and activities presented by the teacher. Students in the Primary Program will learn these presentations, as well as how to foster a child’s functional independence, task persistence, and self-regulation, and how to promote positive social development through respectful, clear communication and safe natural and logical consequence.

  • Students in the Primary Program explore Montessori theory through lectures and discussions, reading and writing assignments, and personal reflection. Reading seminars are scheduled throughout the year to help students engage with Montessori’s own writings. During these seminars, students engage in group discussions stimulated by a series of questions or discussion points related to the target reading.

    Students learn how to present the Montessori materials and activities to children by observing demonstrations from the trainers and through guided practice in our model classroom, supplemented by independent practice on your own. Students in the Blended Primary program will continue your practice with the materials during the distance blocks and will need access to a Montessori prepared environment for 3-6-year-olds. A minimum of 140 hours of practice is required.

    From these experiences, students create five teaching manuals, or albums, to guide their work with children - theory, practical life (life skills), sensory development, language, and mathematics. Depending on the course, these albums might be digital, using GoogleSites, or physical binders. Students also create samples of Montessori materials to demonstrate their ability to apply the principles of Montessori material design to their own classrooms.

    Observation and practice teaching are essential components of the program, and allow students to continue your study of the child in real time. During observation, students spend a minimum of 90 hours observing the children’s interactions with the materials and each other. During practice teaching, students spend a minimum of 120 hours presenting lessons to children, with guidance from the AMI host teacher or MNW faculty. Please note that for students living in the vicinity of a MNW Training Center, observation and practice teaching are organized by the training center staff. Students living outside the vicinity of MNW will coordinate with MNW staff to schedule observation and practice teaching at a school that is in their area. All observation and practice teaching are intended to be completed during specific times during the program year.

    Comprehensive written and oral examinations at the end of the program verify that each student has met the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale.

  • 2023-2024 Book List - Portland, OR
    2023-2024 Book List - Pleasanton, CA

    Students will purchase books independently. You will be provided a booklist prior to the program of the required and suggested books to purchase. Students can expect to pay approximately $250-$300 on books.

    Students will receive specific guidance about exact requirements, but all students will need these items to start:

    • Laptop computer and reliable high-speed internet access

    • All-in-One Printer

    • Ample note-taking supplies (ie: large multi-subject notebooks)

    • Copy paper

    • High quality colored pencils (Prismacolor, eg.) for illustrating presentations in your albums

    The creation of Montessori materials and activities is a significant component of the program. Supplies will also include crafting supplies, stationery, and baskets, trays, and other containers. These can be purchased from various locations and can be found at various price points. Costs vary depending on the supplier and thriftiness of the student.

    Students can expect to spend up to $900 on office and material supplies throughout the program as well as $99 for an AMI Membership.

  • Learner life at MNW incorporates the use of technology. This means regularly receiving important information by email, accessing documents digitally, downloading, and uploading files from a hard drive or cloud to Google Shared Drives and Populi (our learning management system), and using Zoom. Adequate internet access and speed, and audio/video capacity are all necessary to engage in online classes and discussion groups. The majority of the work a learner completes involves word processing and preparing illustrations by hand, then scanning and uploading them for review.

    Learners will need a laptop computer when attending the in-person blocks of the program. A desktop or laptop computer can be used during the distance blocks. Consistent high-speed internet access is also necessary to participate in the program. While in class for the in-person blocks, learners will be able to connect to MNW’s network.

    MNW will update this document periodically, but it is each learners’ responsibility to update their hardware and software to meet the requirements of each platform.

    At this time, the current minimum requirements for learners are:

    COMPUTER SPECS

    • Processor

      • Minimum: Dual-core 2Ghz or higher (Intel i3/i5/i7 or AMD equivalent)

      • Recommended: Quad-core processor or higher

    • RAM

      • Minimum: 4 Gb

    • Operating System

      • Mac OS X with macOS X 10.13 or later, or

      • Windows 11 (Note: Windows 11 is supported on version 5.9.0 or higher), or

      • Windows 10 (Note: Devices running Windows 10 must run Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise; S Mode is not supported), or

      • Windows 8 or 8.1, or

      • Windows 7

    • Monitor

      • 1280 x 1024 pixels

    • Speakers and a microphone

      • Built-in, USB plug-in, or Wireless Bluetooth

    • Webcam or HD webcam

      • Built-in, or USB plug-in

    • Internet connection

      • Broadband wired, or

      • Wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)

      • Minimum bandwidth: 1.0 Mbps/600kbps (up/down)

      • Recommended bandwidth: 3.8Mbps/4.0Mbps (up/down)

    • Browsers

    MNW staff will be available to help learners troubleshoot any technical issues that arise.

  • Portland , Oregon
    Montessori Northwest is located downtown in Southwest Portland. Your mode of transportation will help determine how close you want to be to the training center.

    It is very common for commuters to ride their bikes, walk, or take public transportation downtown. If you plan on commuting via car, there are several parking options available near Montessori Northwest. Learners are responsible for paying for parking.

    Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about neighborhoods, etc. Check out this interactive Portland Neighborhood Map (FYI - MNW is in the Portland Downtown area)

    Helpful Housing Resources:

    Airbnb Portland
    VRBO Portland
    Craigslist Portland
    Apartments Portland
    Trulia Portland
    Nestpik
    Portland State University | Summer 2023 Rates & Details
    Hosteling International
    College Housing Northwest
    American Campus
    Furnished Finder

  • Training in Portland
    Located at the confluence of the Willamette and mighty Columbia Rivers, in a valley formed between the Coast Range and the spectacular Cascade Mountains, Portland strikes a balance between the best of urban living and easy accessibility to the glorious natural world. For more information about Portland, check out The Official City Guide.

    Getting to the Training Center
    Portland ranks highly among the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. also has one of the nation’s top-rated public transportation systems. So, whether you want to walk, bike, or bus, learners will be able to get to easily access our downtown campus. Learners will have access to a secured bike room.

    Portland Walking & Bike Map | Public Transportation - TriMet

    Prefer to drive? There are several parking ramps close by our downtown campus. Learners are responsible for paying for parking.

  • As a city that has a thriving downtown scene and over 600 acres of undeveloped land, Pleasanton provides the best of both worlds. Whether you’re looking for a great shopping experience at Stoneridge Mall or one of the 700 businesses in the downtown area, or you want to have the perfect outdoor adventure through one of more than forty state parks and twenty-four miles of hiking trails, there’s always something to do in Pleasanton.

    Pleasanton is fortunate to be served by numerous public transportation agencies that help residents and employees get to their work or home destination whether it is in Pleasanton or miles away.

    Check out Getting Around Pleasanton and the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce Transportation web page for more details.

    There is free parking in the school lot.

Currently Running Programs

  • LOCATION
    Online and at Montessori Northwest, 610 SW Alder St., Suite 721, Portland OR 97205

    DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
    Sarah Werner Andrews

    DATES
    January 30, 2023 - August 9, 2024 View Calendar

    SCHEDULE
    Onsite Block 1: January 30, 2023 - February 10, 2023
    Onsite Block 2: August 7, 2023 - August 18, 2023
    Onsite Block 3: January 29, 2024 - February 9, 2024
    Onsite Block 4: July 15, 2024 - August 9, 2024
    On-Site Blocks meet Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (PT)

    Distance Block 1: February 14, 2023 - May 16, 2023
    Distance Block 2: June 20, 2023 - August 1, 2023
    Distance Block 3: September 26, 2023 - December 5, 2023
    Distance Block 4: January 9, 2024 - January 23, 2024
    Distance Block 5: February 13, 2024 - May 18, 2024
    Distance Blocks meet Tuesdays from 3:00 - 6:00 pm (PT)

    TUITION AND FEES
    Application Fee: $150 (non-refundable); Tuition: $13,500

  • LOCATION
    Online and at Montessori Northwest, 610 SW Alder St., Suite 721, Portland OR 97205

    DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
    Sarah Werner Andrews

    SCHEDULE
    July 10, 2023 - August 9, 2024 View Calendar

    Onsite Block 1: July 10, 2023 - August 4, 2023
    Onsite Block 2: January 11 - 15, 2024
    Onsite Block 3: July 15, 2024 - August 9, 2024
    On-Site Blocks 1 & 3 meet Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (PT)
    On-Site Block 2 meets daily, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (PT)

    Distance Block 1: September 7 - December 15, 2023
    Distance Block 2: January 16 - May 30, 2024
    Distance Blocks meet Thursdays from 4:00 - 7:00 pm (PT)

    NOTES
    During distance blocks, learners should plan on 10-15 hours per week of self-scheduled work, have consistent access to a Montessori classroom, and will complete 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching.

    TUITION AND FEES
    Application Fee: $150 (non-refundable)
    Tuition: $13,500 View sample Enrollment Agreement
    Learners are required to become an AMI member ($99)

    ACCREDITATIONS
    Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
    Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)

  • LOCATION
    Online and at Montessori School of Pleasanton, 3410 Cornerstone Ct., Pleasanton, CA 94566

    DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
    Jing Zhang

    SCHEDULE
    July 24, 2023 - August 4, 2024 View Calendar

    Onsite Block 1: July 24 - August 11, 2023
    Onsite Block 2: January 8 - 19, 2024
    Onsite Block 3: July 10 - August 4, 2024
    On-Site Blocks meet Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (PT)

    Distance Block 1: September 2, 2023 - January 6, 2024
    Distance Block 2: February 3, 2024 - July 6, 2024
    Distance Blocks meet Saturdays from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (PT) + Practice space available 1:00 - 5:00 pm (PT)

    NOTES
    During distance blocks, learners should plan on 10-15 hours per week of self-scheduled work, have consistent access to a Montessori classroom, and will complete 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching.

    TUITION AND FEES
    Application Fee: $150 (non-refundable)
    Tuition: $13,500 View Enrollment Agreement
    Learners are also required to become an AMI member ($99)

    ACCREDITATIONS
    Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
    Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)

Recently Completed Programs

  • LOCATION
    Online and at Montessori Northwest, 610 SW Alder St., Suite 721, Portland, OR 97205

    DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
    Sarah Werner Andrews

    SCHEDULE
    July 18, 2022 - June 29, 2023 - View Calendar

    Onsite Block 1: July 18, 2022 - August 12, 2022
    Onsite Block 2: Students choose one of the following options:

    • January 12 - 16, 2023

    • March 27 - 31, 2023

    • April 3 - 7, 2023

    Onsite Block 3: June 5, 2023 - June 29, 2023
    Distance Block 1: September 5, 2022 - December 16, 2022
    Distance Block 2: January 9, 2023 - May 26, 2023

    WEEKLY SCHEDULE
    On-Site Blocks
    : Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30pm (PT)
    Distance Blocks: 10-15 hours per week of self-scheduled work. Virtual class meetings on Thursdays from 3:00 - 6:00pm (PT). Each student must have consistent access to a Montessori classroom.
    Note: 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching will occur during the distance blocks

    TUITION AND FEES
    Application Fee: $150; Tuition: $13,300

  • LOCATION
    Online and at Day Star Montessori, 215 Dempsey Rd. Milpitas, CA 95035

    TRAINERS
    Polli Soholt
    Jing Zhang (Associate Trainer)

    SCHEDULE
    July 20, 2022 - July 8, 2023 - View Calendar

    Onsite Block 1: July 20, 2022 - August 19, 2022
    Onsite Block 2: January 11, 2023 - January 15, 2023
    Onsite Flex Block 2: Students choose one of the following options:

    • January 18 - 21, 2023

    • March 6 - 10, 2023

    • April 11 - 15, 2023

    Onsite Block 3: June 12, 2023 - July 8, 2023
    Distance Block 1: September 10, 2022 - January 7, 2023
    Distance Block 2: January 28, 2023 - May 20, 2023

    WEEKLY SCHEDULE
    On-Site Blocks: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm (PT)
    Distance Blocks: 10-15 hours per week of self-scheduled work. Virtual class meetings on Saturdays from 9:00am - 12:00pm (PT). Each student must have consistent access to a Montessori classroom.
    Note: 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching will occur during the distance blocks.

    TUITION AND FEES
    Application Fee: $150; Tuition: $13,300