The AMS Code of Ethics

We at the American Montessori Society hold ourselves to high ethical standards, and act in accordance to our commitment to build a more just and equitable world by adhering to the following principles. It is our hope and intention that the members of our organization, as advocates, ambassadors, and practitioners of the Montessori model of education, do the same.

Principle I: Commitment to Students & Their Families

In fulfillment of the obligation to students and their families, AMS will:

• Share resources for protecting equitable access to all programs and services, regardless of each student’s and family’s race, color, culture, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origins, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
• Support practices that protect the physical health and psychological safety of each student and family.
• Encourage independent action in the pursuit of learning, community building, and social action.
• Honor professional commitments, and maintain obligations and contracts while neither soliciting nor involving students or their families in schemes for commercial gain.
• Keep in confidence information that has been secured in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Principle II: Commitment to Staff & Colleagues

In fulfillment of the obligation to staff and colleagues, AMS will:

• Protect equitable access to AMS employment, programs, services, and other opportunities regardless of each individual’s race, color, culture, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origins, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
• Dedicate ourselves to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating all forms of racism and systemic oppression within our organization and programs.
• Represent one’s own professional qualifications with clarity and true intent.
• Accept, offer, recommend, and assign professional positions and responsibilities on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications.
• Use honest, equitable, and effective methods of administering duties and conducting business.

Principle III: Commitment to the Montessori Movement

In fulfillment of the obligation to the Montessori Movement, AMS will:

• Uphold and publicly support the greater vision of Dr. Maria Montessori through such initiatives as the development and promulgation of standards for affiliation of teacher education programs and accreditation of schools, the providing of professional development opportunities, and support of Montessori research and advocacy.
• Ensure that our work honors the core components of Montessori education: properly trained Montessori teachers, multi-age classrooms, the uninterrupted work period, the prepared environment, and child-directed work.

Principle IV: Commitment to the Public

In fulfillment of the obligation to the public, AMS will:

• Share perspectives consistent with all of the items set forth in the principles above, when engaged in public discussion.
• Distinguish private views from the official position of the American Montessori Society when engaged in public discussion.

Adopted by the American Montessori Society Board of Directors January 2022