AMI Adolescent Diploma Course
Be fully prepared for a life-changing career as an Adolescent Montessori Teacher!
We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our next AMI Adolescent Diploma Course! The dates for our next course are October 6, 2026 - March 17, 2028. The deadline to apply is September 22, 2026.
Our 2026-2028 Adolescent Diploma Course is pending AMI approval.
About the AMI Adolescent 12-18 Diploma Course
The AMI 12-18 Diploma Course immerses the participants in experiences of Montessori theory and methodology, allowing them to understand and support the natural development of adolescents ages 12-18. Participants learn Montessori’s developmental framework for content and organization based on engaging and responding to the needs and characteristics of the adolescents from AMI Montessori trainers and experienced advisors, practitioners, and topic-related experts. Participants can authentically implement the framework in their environments, circumstances, cultural context, and national curriculum. The course does not deliver specialized content for academic disciplines
Unique to Train Montessori, discover the innovative approach in shaping the AMI Adolescent diploma course using the Adolescent Competencies model.
Our comprehensive method delves into Montessori's developmental outcomes, highlighting the advanced comprehension required for effective interaction with adolescents aged 12-18. Explore how, by customizing learning experiences to each participant's context, we ensure the attainment of these competencies. Join us on a journey where personalized approaches, attuned to time, space, and individual circumstances, form the cornerstone of competency achievement for the adolescent practitioner.
Competencies for Adolescent Practitioners
-
Adolescent ecology & systems
Adolescent physiological and psychological development
Role of family and social systems in life of the adolescent
Systematically assessing and documenting the adolescent’s learning
-
Student centered pedagogy for the adolescent
Create safe, challenging, and engaging environments that allow for student freedom/agency leading to independent, autonomous learning
Create an interactive/vibrant environment that encourages collaboration and peer/multi-age assistance
Using the interests of the adolescents to make learning meaningful
Developing trusting relationships among adolescents and between adolescents and adults in their environments
Guiding students with atypical learning needs
-
Culturally responsive teaching and student heritage
Utilizing a diversity of cultural references (e.g. literature, art, music) with the adolescent, including those of the adolescent
Employing language that is most meaningful to the adolescents
Understands and values the cultures of the adolescents and adults found within the learning environment
-
Critical pedagogy for the adolescent
Connecting adolescent learning to their lives outside of school
Sustaining space for adolescents to critique and question materials and learning outcomes
Inviting thoughtful challenges to established policies and practices
Encouraging thoughtfulness toward peace/social justice/change education for the adolescent
Teacher modeling of self-awareness, self-regulation, curiousity, and responsiveness
Program Information
Program Format
The course schedule is subject to change.
-
The dates for our next Diploma Course are October 6, 2026 - March 17, 2028.
This is a blended course that combines both online and in-person learning experiences, as well as live/synchronous and independent/asynchronous work.
All live/synchronous sessions will take place Tuesdays from 7-9 PM Eastern Time.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and evaluated upon completion. We encourage prospective participants to submit all required application materials as early as possible, as admissions decisions are made throughout the enrollment period until the cohort reaches capacity.
Please see below for a detailed course overview, including key dates.
The application deadline is September 22, 2026.
Learning Management System opens Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Mandatory Technology Check on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7-8 PM Eastern Time
Module 1: Theoretical Foundations - Live Session Dates
October 13, 20, 27, 2026
November 3, 10, 17, 24, 2026
December 1, 8, 15, 2026
Module 2: The First and Second Planes of Development: The Journey to Adolescence - Live Session Dates
January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2027
February 2, 9, 16, 23, 2027
March 2, 9, 2027
Module 3: Adolescence: The Third Plane of Development - Live Session Dates
March 23, 30, 2027
April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2027
May 4, 11, 18, 25, 2027
June Break
Module 4: Community Living Experience - In-Person/Residential Experience Dates
July 5 - July 23, 2027
Module 5: Contemporary Research and Practicum Support - Live Session Dates
August 17, 24, 31, 2027
September 7, 14, 21, 28, 2027
October 5, 12, 19, 2027
Module 6: Seminar Sessions and Practicum Support - Live Session Dates
October 26, 2027
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2027
December 7, 14, 2027
Module 7: Final Assessment Preparation - Live Session Dates
January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2028
February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2028 (Written Assessments in February TBA)
March 7, 2028
Oral Assessment Week, March 13-17, 2027
The course schedule is subject to change.
-
An AMI Diploma is granted upon satisfactory completion of the course requirements including, but not limited to:
• Current AMI membership
• At least 90% attendance of live/synchronous sessions
• Completion of all asynchronous work/projects
• In-person attendance of the full three-week, full-time community living experience. More information below. (This will require travel to the residential site.)
• Observation work of infants and children (30 hours total of observation in 0-3, 3-6, 6-12 environments)
• Observation in an adolescent environment other than your own (40 hours)
• Observation in your own environment (40 hours)
• Practicum (120 hours of observation and practice teaching)
• Preparation of a Literature Review project
• Portfolio preparation and oral defense
• Written and oral exams
-
The applicant is assumed to have the necessary skills to pursue graduate-level work. Among these are note-taking on oral lectures (taping is allowed only for cases of documented disability) and ability to write in an essay format.
An AMI studies certificate is granted upon satisfactory completion of the program requirements, which include full attendance at lectures and satisfactory completion of requirements. Required work includes (but is not limited to):
• Journal entries with writing prompts related to the concepts explored that day/week
• Theory Essays, each synthesizing and citing theory lectures, seminar discussions, and reading material
• Lexicon of vocabulary terms related to Montessori theory and practice—researched with primary references to Montessori’s work
• Individual and Small Group Presentations/Projects on points of theory and practice
• Short Summative Assessments (written and/or oral) to check understanding of key vocabulary and concepts
• Literature Review/Annotated Bibliography on self-chosen topic related to adolescent development
• Observation Reports, Presentation, and Reflections
• Practicum (Practice Teaching ) Demonstration Videos, Reports, Presentation, and Reflections
• One (1) Year-long Plan of work within the adolescent community
• At least two (2) fully articulated plans integrated work and study be used during the Practicum experience
• Notes from presentations and lectures
-
• Possession of (at least) an undergraduate degree/diploma
• Academic skills for success in a comprehensive course of study
• Clear oral and written communications (all written work must be submitted in English)
• Capacities for adaptability, organization, time management, and attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate with Train Montessori staff, other Diploma candidates in the course, and cooperating Montessori communities
• Basic technology skills
-
• Digital device
• Reliable internet connectivity
• Copies of the following books by Maria Montessori: All texts will be from The Montessori Series published by the Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company
• Montessori, Maria. Citizen of the World: Key Montessori Readings. Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2019.
• Montessori, Maria, and Claude A. Claremont. The Absorbent Mind. Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2019.
• Montessori, Maria. The Secret of Childhood. Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2017.
• Montessori, Maria. To Educate the Human Potential. Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2019.
• Montessori, Maria. From Childhood to Adolescence. Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2018.
• Montessori, Maria, and Helen Lane. Education and Peace. Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2018.
Order from AMI Global
• Montessori, Mario. “The Human Tendencies and Montessori Education”
• AMI Communications 2011/1/2 “Double issue on the theme of Montessori and Adolescence”
Order from any bookseller
• De Stefano, Cristina, and Gregory Conti. The Child Is the Teacher: A Life of Maria Montessori. Other Press, 2023.
-
Here are a few important things to know and to keep in mind about the Admissions & Enrollment Process:
The application process can take up to three weeks. So, if you are thinking about applying - and we hope you are - please plan accordingly!
Please note that we do not issue student visas.
Additional Information
Observation Requirements
Community Living Experience Requirement
We are excited to be partnering with Compass Montessori School in Golden, Colorado for the Community Living Experience in our 2026-2028 Diploma Course!
We'll be working and learning at Compass Montessori School and living at beautiful Spruce Hall on the Colorado School of Mines campus.
Compass is a public charter school dedicated to offering an authentic Montessori education to students in Children’s House through 12th grade. With their staff and adolescents, the Community Living Experience is an opportunity for candidates to live the life of an adolescent in a prepared Montessori environment. For three weeks, candidates will participate in all aspects of community living: cooking, cleaning, taking care of a farm/garden, animals, on-site environment, repair and maintenance, local natural resources and participating in economic activities. There will also be community activities in the evenings and on the weekends, but there will be some down time, as well. Generally, we will work from 8:00 to 4:00ish, however, some care of the environment tasks (particularly care of animals) may require work earlier in the morning or later in the day.
Pricing and Registration Information
We realize that applicants have different abilities to pay, so we have instituted a pricing program to make the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Adolescent Diploma Course available to as many individuals and schools as possible.
We ask that you look at the rate descriptions below, assess your financial situation, and make a determination about which rate you are able and willing to pay. We believe in this Course, the pathways it opens, and in the way it strengthens schools and our community, and we want to remove as many barriers as we can. The choice is entirely yours and in NO WAY influences the admission process or experiences during the Course itself. You will receive the same experience in this course regardless of the rate you pay.
Rate A: $14,000 USD
This rate covers the true rate for the AMI Adolescent Training, along with a contribution towards sustaining organization overhead, some administrative costs, and continued digital build out for workshops and training.
Rate B: $16,000 USD
This is the true market rate for the AMI Adolescent Training and covers all organization expenses, as well as sustaining revenue for organization reserves, future capital improvements, and continued staff growth.
For Heads of School, Principals, Board members, our hope is with these options, the additional dollars that you would have invested will be reinvested in workshops, webinars, coaching and consulting so we all can further our positive impact with adolescents, along with continuing to strengthen our Montessori community.
Scholarship information
We also offer scholarships, as well as payment plans for those interested. Additionally, AMI/USA offers a financial scholarship for training center applicants including those applying at Train Montessori. For additional information on financial aid, please visit AMI/USA, Margaret Elizabeth Stephenson (MES fund), and the Black Montessori Education Fund (BMEF).
If you’re considering applying to enroll in this course and have questions about financial aid, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to us at info@trainmontessori.org.
Scholarships are limited and awarded based on eligibility and available funding. While we can’t guarantee every applicant will receive an award, we encourage everyone who’s interested to apply. Scholarship applications are reviewed at the same time as your diploma application once it is complete.
Join us for an Information Session!
-
Diploma Information Session
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7 PM EST
-
Diploma Information Session
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 7 PM EST
-
Diploma Information Session
Tues., September 1, 2026 at 7 PM EST
-
Diploma Information Session
Tues., September 15, 2026 at 7 PM EST
LET’S CONNECT!
Follow us on social media to stay up to date on all things Train Montessori. We always have new offerings, new opportunities, and resources to to share. We’d love to connect with you and have you as part of our growing global community!