3-6 Diploma Course (Academic Year at WMI)

Books

• View the 3-6 book list
• Students are expected to purchase books independently. The trainer will provide more information prior to the start of the course. 

Requirements for Observation and Student Teaching

Students will complete the required number of Observation hours and Practice Teaching during the course. These arrangements should be made under the guidance of the trainer. 

• • 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of practice teaching
    • Observation – Half of those might be done in one’s own classroom if they work in a primary Montessori classroom, with approval of the course trainer. The other half will be done in a classroom led by an AMI trained teacher (the school does not need to be AMI recognized). Your trainer will assist in finding a school in your vicinity and must approve these placements.
    • Practice teaching – 80 of those hours can be done in one’s own classroom, again, with approval from the trainer. The other 40 hours must be done in a classroom led by an AMI trained teacher. Usually this is the same classroom you observed in, if possible.

Comprehensive written and oral examinations are scheduled at the end of the course to allow each student to express and share how they have met the standards of AMI training.

Written Exams (online): May 3 & May 6, 2027
Oral Exams: May 20-21, 2027
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 22, 2027

All students must be in residence through the last day of the oral examination period, no matter when their individual examination is scheduled. 

Requirements for Supervised Practice
Students will be required to complete 140 hours of supervised practice at WMI. Flexible hours and scheduling will be provided to help students fulfill these hours. Students may practice before and after class hours – refer to the schedule for more information on practice hours. 

English Language Proficiency Requirements 
Applicants who are international students or non-native English speakers must provide scores from one of the following tests:

• • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) (80+)
  • TOEFL Essentials Test (9.0+)
    • Have testing service send the official TOEFL score to WMI
    • WMI’s TOEFL Code is C741
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or IELTS Indicator (6.5+ band score)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) (WMI will consider scores of 105+)

Refer to the Admissions page for more information.

Tuition: $14,500
A $500 non-refundable tuition deposit is due upon enrollment and will be applied to total tuition.

Payment Plans: View information here.

Naoko is a primary trainer for the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). She has both Primary and Elementary diplomas. She was born and grew up in Tokyo, Japan. She received her B.A. in childhood education from Tokyo Gakugei University in Tokyo. She received her M.Ed. in Montessori education from Loyola University Maryland. She has worked for over 30 years as a teacher, assistant, examiner, consultant, and trainer in the Philippines, Japan, China, Canada, and the United States. Since 2009, she has directed assistant courses and Primary courses. She is also an AMI/USA consultant. Naoko loves working with children and adults to help spread Dr. Montessori’s educational philosophy and practice.

Read Naoko’s article, “Children Who Proved Montessori’s Words,” on Voices of AMI Training (June 17, 2024).