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). Learners 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.

Learners guided on 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. Learners 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.

• Learner Handbook

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 3-6 trained host teacher or MNW faculty. MNW will coordinate observation and practice teaching placements with learners. All observation and practice teaching hours are to be completed at 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.

3-6 Book List

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 $300 - $600 on office and material supplies throughout the program as well as $99 for an AMI Membership.

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.

Montessori Northwest is located at 610 SW Alder St., Suite 721, Portland, OR 97205, a block from Pioneer Square, which is considered the city’s “Living Room”.

MNW does not provide housing or housing assistance for learners.

Please refer to the websites below for leads on rooms for rent, studios, and apartments for rent. Rents may vary greatly.

Helpful Housing Resources:

• Portland State University Summer Intern Housing

• Airbnb

• VRBO Portland

• Craigslist Portland

• Apartments Portland

• Trulia Portland

• Hosteling International – Northwest/Portland

• College Housing Northwest

• American Campus

• Furnished Finder

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about neighborhoods, etc. Check out this interactive Portland Neighborhood Map.

Portland ranks highly among the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and 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.

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.

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.

2026-2027 AMI 3-6 Diploma Program

Director of Training:Sarah Werner Andrews

Location: Online and at Montessori Northwest 610 SW Alder St., Suite 700, Portland OR 97205

Dates: May 19, 2026 - August 13, 2027‍ ‍View Calendar

Tuition & Fees: Application Fee: $150 (non-refundable); Tuition: $14,500 + additional fees for certain payment options - View Sample Enrollment Agreement; Learners are also required to become an AMI member ($99)

Schedule:

• Online Block #1: May 19 - June 12, 2026, Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 pm (PT)

• On-site Block #1: June 16 - July 15, 2026, Weekdays, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PT)

• Online Block #2: September 10 - December 10, 2026, Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 pm (PT)

• Online Block #3: January 7 - June 5, 2027, Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 pm (PT)

• On-site Block #2: March 1 - 5, 2027, Weekdays, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PT)

• On-site Block #3: July 19 - August 13, 2027, Weekdays, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PT)