Joining the CCMA as a member school is the first step in becoming accredited. Once a school applies and is welcomed to membership the school is an Applicant School.

Upon application, an applicant school can begin to use the CCMA applicant logo to demonstrate to families that the school is committed to the accreditation process and aims to provide students the best quality authentic Montessori education and a commitment to excellence.

New Montessori schools’ programs must be 3 years old before they complete the accreditation process.  Applicant schools with established programs may not need three years to become accredited.

An Applicant School shall meet the following criteria:

• Is licensed by the appropriate Provincial Licensing Authority.
• Is guided by the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
• Each classroom has at least one teacher who holds an age-appropriate diploma from an
  AMI or MACTE accredited teacher training institute or any other teacher training
  program that may be recognized by the CCMA.
• Each classroom has a basic to full range of Montessori materials as recommended by
  CCMA, which offers the broad curriculum to allow for sequential learning.
• Is working toward an uninterrupted work cycle, that is ‘age and stage’ appropriate (e.g. range from 1 to 2 hours for Toddler; 2 ½ to 3 hours for Casa; 2 ½ to 3 ½ for Elementary), to allow for the development of focus.
• Have a policy of admitting children to the program at the appropriate age level consistent with Montessori principles and sensitive periods for learning.
• Is working toward multi-age groupings in each classroom (with a span of 1 year or more in the Toddler classroom and 3 years in the Casa and Elementary classrooms), which supports the concept that learning is a social process.
• Meets the relevant Building, Health, Safety, and Fire codes and carry appropriate insurance.
• Abides by the CCMA Code of Ethics.
• The school is actively engaged and making progress to meet the criteria for being Accredited within a certain timeframe.

While this is not a membership category, Affiliate Schools have met the criteria to participate and be a part of the CCMA community. An Affiliate school is not engaged with the CCMA Accreditation process.

Affiliate Schools shall meet the following criteria:

1. licensed by the appropriate provincial licensing authority;
2. meeting all relevant building, health, safety, and fire codes and carrying appropriate insurance;
3. guided by the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori;
4. abiding by the CCMA Code of Ethics;
5. employing Montessori trained teachers;
6. ensuring that its classes feature core Montessori materials;
7. open to the concept that learning is a social process and have some multi-age groupings in their school dynamic;
8. valuing an uninterrupted work cycle for the development of focus; and
9. engaging in professional development regarding Montessori pedagogy and the running of a Montessori school.

Affiliate Benefits

1. participate in professional development programs hosted by CCMA;
2. attend meetings of CCMA, including the annual general meeting, as non-voting observers;
3. have its name and location listed on the CCMA website as an Affiliated School;
4. join the CCMA e-mail distribution list, giving it access to educational resources and pedagogical information; and
5. to the extent permitted by CCMA’s insurers, participate in the MySchool Insurance program or other
   CCMA group benefit insurance programs.

Advertising and Marketing

The school shall be entitled to use the following statement on its website and other promotional materials:

“Our school is an Affiliate School with the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators, CCMA, which allows us to participate in professional development, make connections with the greater Montessori community and promote the life-long benefits for every child of Montessori education in Canada. Our school is not currently part of the CCMA accreditation process.”

The CCMA logo will not be used by Affiliate schools.