differences between AMI and AMS

[alana1980]

Hi, I'm new to Montessori. My son just started in January. He will be four in May.

I only toured a couple schools before falling in love with the school we chose. The first school is an AMI school. When observing the classroom, I noticed that all of the children were busy working, but none of them smiled (even when I smiled at them) or talked. The room was completely quiet. I was told that the policy was to drop them off outside in the parking lot and that was it. Even on their very first day of school, the parents were not to come in. That really rubbed me the wrong way. The children at this school did seem more focused. The school felt rigid to me though.

The school we decided on is an AMS school. It has an open door policy for parents. My son has a difficult time with transitions. They are fine with me sitting quietly for the first 10 minutes each day until he is busy with his work. While all of the kids are busy working, they are playing and laughing as well. Maybe it is a bit more of the environment, it is on a farm (with a horse, donkey, goat, etc) and in the classroom, there is a bird and a guinea pig. It just has an all over more relaxed feel to it. This school had a way more relaxed and warm feel.

Is this typical of AMI vs AMS schools? Is AMS typically more relaxed while AMI focused? I'm just curious. I only toured the two schools so I only have those two to compare. I'm not saying that one is better than the other, but the school we ultimately chose was the best fit for our child and our family.

Thanks

[alegna]

I think the relaxed/focused just varies by school.

From what I've seen- AMI starts with cursive (usually) while AMS (usually) begins with print.

AMI tends to be more protective of the 3 hour work cycle.

AMI is more likely to have glass serving ware and the like.

-Angela

[Aufilia]

I don't know much about the certification differences but I thought I'd mention that our school also has a drop off/pick up procedure in which the teachers get the kids out of the cars and put them back in -- but this is mainly due to location rather than philosophy. Our school is located in a suburban house and there simply isn't enough room to park enough cars to have 40-some kids dropped off and picked up by parents directly. We did, however, go to school with DD on the first day, and they allow parent observations (though it's difficult since being in the classroom is a total distraction to your kid!).

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by alana1980

I only toured a couple schools before falling in love with the school we chose. The first school is an AMI school. When observing the classroom, I noticed that all of the children were busy working, but none of them smiled (even when I smiled at them) or talked. The room was completely quiet. I was told that the policy was to drop them off outside in the parking lot and that was it. Even on their very first day of school, the parents were not to come in. That really rubbed me the wrong way. The children at this school did seem more focused. The school felt rigid to me though.

Many Montessori schools can be too rigid for me, too. Many Montessori schools have a situation where focus and joy can be mistaken for rigidness. Ultimately, if you don't feel right in the classroom, it's likely just not a right fit for you no matter what the situation is.

The school we decided on is an AMS school. It has an open door policy for parents. My son has a difficult time with transitions. They are fine with me sitting quietly for the first 10 minutes each day until he is busy with his work.

Just remember, though, that this can be a way to make the transition more difficult for him. I'm not saying it will or won't, but that can be a hinderance to helping him have a smooth transition time.

While all of the kids are busy working, they are playing and laughing as well. Maybe it is a bit more of the environment, it is on a farm (with a horse, donkey, goat, etc) and in the classroom, there is a bird and a guinea pig. It just has an all over more relaxed feel to it. This school had a way more relaxed and warm feel.

Is this typical of AMI vs AMS schools? Is AMS typically more relaxed while AMI focused? I'm just curious.

I wouldn't say so. It all boils down to the teacher, really, and the training center they went to and the place they student taught at and what they're used to and...well...I didn't mean to make a run on sentence.

Matt