AMI Montessori Fort Lauderdale
Authentic Montessori Education at International Montessori School of
Fort Lauderdale
Looking for AMI Montessori in Fort Lauderdale? At the International Montessori School of Fort Lauderdale, our lead guides hold AMI diplomas, the highest credential in Montessori education in the world.
Since opening our doors in May 2020, we’ve served more than 75 families who wanted authentic Montessori for their children, not a watered-down version.
But what does “AMI” actually mean? And why should it matter when you’re choosing a preschool?
Developing Geography Skills and Critical Thinking
Math Counters to Learn Numbers & Quantity Recognition
Montessori Bead Chain Material to Explore Counting and Early Math Concepts
AMI-certified teachers
What Is AMI Montessori?
AMI stands for Association Montessori Internationale, the organization Maria Montessori herself founded in 1929 to protect the integrity of her educational method. When a school has AMI-certified teachers, you know the method is being implemented exactly as Dr. Montessori developed it through decades of research and observation.
The problem? Almost any school can call itself “Montessori.” The name isn’t trademarked. Walk into five different “Montessori” preschools in Fort Lauderdale and you might see five completely different approaches, some authentic, some barely recognizable.
AMI certification is how you know you’re getting the real thing.
IMS and AMI
Why International Montessori School Chose AMI
When we founded the International Montessori School of Fort Lauderdale in 2020, we made a deliberate choice: AMI certification or nothing.
We could have taken shortcuts; plenty of schools do. AMS certification is faster to obtain. “Montessori-inspired” requires no certification at all. But we believe Fort Lauderdale families deserve the authentic Montessori education, delivered by teachers who’ve completed rigorous international training.
That commitment means:
- Our lead guides completed intensive AMI training programs, typically a full academic year of study plus hundreds of hours of supervised practice.
- Our classroom contains every Montessori material in the proper sequence, maintained in perfect condition.
- Your child experiences Montessori exactly as Maria Montessori intended, not our interpretation of it.
- We’re held to international standards, not just local ones.
AMI Montessori, THE original method
AMI vs AMS: Understanding the Difference
When researching Montessori schools, you’ll encounter two main certifications: AMI and AMS. Here’s an honest comparison.
AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) was founded by Maria Montessori in 1929. It maintains her original method without modification, the “purist” approach. Training is rigorous and internationally standardized.
AMS (American Montessori Society) was founded in 1960 in the United States. It adapts Montessori principles for American educational contexts and allows more flexibility in implementation.
Neither is “wrong”, but they represent different philosophies. If you want your child to experience Montessori exactly as Dr. Montessori developed it through decades of observation and research, AMI is the gold standard. That’s what we offer.
Montessori school in Broward County
Why Families Choose Our AMI Montessori in Fort Lauderdale
The International Montessori School of Fort Lauderdale sits in Downtown Fort Lauderdale at 114 SW 10th St, serving families from Victoria Park, Las Olas, Wilton Manors, Rio Vista, and throughout Broward County. We’re also a convenient choice for families in nearby Miami-Dade communities.
We’re one of the few AMI-certified Montessori schools in South Florida and the only one combining authentic AMI education with bilingual Spanish-English immersion. Children receive the gold standard of Montessori education while naturally acquiring two languages.
It’s a combination that’s rare anywhere and unique in our community.
Fine Motor & Concentration Development
Independence and Life Skills
Reading Concepts in Early Childhood
Montessori and independent learning
What You'll See in Our AMI Montessori Classroom
At the International Montessori School of Fort Lauderdale, we serve children ages 30 months through 6½ years in our Primary classroom. Here’s what makes our environment different from typical preschools:
The Prepared Environment: Child-sized furniture. Real materials, glass, ceramic, wood, not plastic toys. Everything is arranged precisely to support independent learning. Children can access what they need without asking an adult.
Authentic Montessori Materials: The pink tower. The golden beads. The movable alphabet. Each material isolates one concept and builds toward the next in a carefully designed sequence. Our AMI-trained guides know exactly how and when to present each one.
Mixed-Age Grouping: Children ages three to six learn together. Younger children observe and learn from older peers; older children reinforce their knowledge by teaching. This mirrors natural social dynamics and eliminates artificial competition.
Uninterrupted Work Periods: Our morning includes a three-hour block where children choose their own activities and work at their own pace. This extended time allows deep concentration, something rare in settings with constant transitions.
The Three-Year Cycle: Children stay with the same guide for three years, allowing deep relationships to form and learning to unfold naturally without rushing to meet arbitrary benchmarks.
Painting a World Map with Montessori Geography Materials
Practical Life Activities - Arranging Fresh Flowers
Using Chopsticks for a Transfer Activity - Control and Coordination Lesson
Early Bilingual Education
Our AMI-Certified Team
Our classroom is led by Miss Norma, who founded the International Montessori School with a vision of bringing authentic AMI education to Fort Lauderdale.
She is supported by dedicated guides, including the lead guide, Miss Lina, and the assistant, Mr. Marcus, professionals whom families describe as “consistent, dedicated, and caring.”
What does AMI training involve? Our lead guides completed:
- Deep study of child development from birth through age six.
- Mastery of every Montessori material and its precise presentation sequence.
- Understanding of Maria Montessori’s philosophy, the absorbent mind, sensitive periods, and normalization.
- Hundreds of hours of supervised practice in AMI classrooms.
- Written and oral examinations are evaluated by international examiners.
This training allows our guides to observe your child and know exactly what developmental stage they’re in, which materials will serve them best, and when to step back and let learning happen naturally.
Metal Insets Lesson
Handwriting Lesson
Preposition Lesson
Fort Lauderdale Downtown
Come See It in Action
The best way to understand AMI Montessori is to see it in action. When you visit our classroom, you’ll notice children deeply engaged in their work, moving purposefully, and helping one another without being asked.
It’s different from what most people expect, and that difference is exactly what makes it work.
We invite you to schedule a tour and see why more than 75 families have trusted us with their children’s education since 2020.
What Families Say About
the International Montessori School
FAQ - Questions Parents Ask About the International Montessori School of
Fort Lauderdale
We’re transparent about credentials. Our teachers’ AMI diplomas specify their training center and diploma type. We welcome questions about our qualifications, it’s exactly what you should be asking.
They serve different purposes. AMI maintains Maria Montessori’s original method without modification, it’s the traditional, purist approach recognized as the gold standard worldwide.
AMS adapts the method for American contexts. If authentic Montessori education matters to you, AMI is what to look for.
Children who complete our three-year program typically enter kindergarten already reading, writing, and working with math concepts beyond grade level.
More importantly, they’ve developed concentration, independence, and self-regulation, skills that help them thrive in any setting. Our families consistently tell us their children are more than ready.
Three things: genuine AMI certification (not all schools have this), bilingual Spanish-English immersion (we’re the only AMI school offering this in South Florida), and a close-knit community where families describe us as a “home away from home.”
We’re small enough to know every child deeply, and committed enough to maintain the highest standards.
The best way to understand AMI Montessori is to see it. When you visit our classroom, you’ll notice children deeply engaged in their work, moving purposefully, helping each other without being asked.
It’s different from what most people expect, and that difference is exactly what makes it work.
We invite you to schedule a tour and see why more than 75 families have trusted us with their children’s education since 2020.
Call Us and Schedule a Visit
Visit Fort Lauderdale’s Authentic AMI Montessori
Come see the International Montessori School and discover why 75+ families have trusted us since 2020.
We’re located at 114 SW 10th St, Suite B, in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Call (954) 614-4505 or use the contact form to arrange a time.
