As we prepare to welcome children for our 50th school year on Monday, we are proud to share that Mountaineer Montessori School is now the first school in West Virginia to achieve full accreditation by the American Montessori Society (AMS)!

AMS Accreditation is the Gold Standard of Montessori School Excellence, reflecting a record of sustained implementation of the highest standards of Montessori education and an unwavering commitment to continuous school improvement.

Approximately 15% of AMS member schools nationwide have achieved this distinguished status--making this a truly pivotal moment for our school community.

Extraordinary milestone

“This is an extraordinary milestone in our school's history and one that reflects the dedication, professionalism, and passion of so many people,” said Head of School Jennifer Carriger.

“While this recognition comes at a single moment in time, it represents years of thoughtful work, collaboration, reflection, and a bedrock tradition of providing an exceptional Montessori education for children.”

This achievement belongs not only to our current team but also to the many dedicated Montessori educators, administrators, staff members and families--and foremost, the students we serve--who have helped shape MMS over the past five decades.

“We are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, and I am deeply grateful the role they continue to play in our school's story,” Jennifer said.

Consistency and purpose

“As we prepare to begin our 50th year of serving children and families, I can think of no better way to celebrate this milestone than with accreditation,” added Brad Barker, President of the MMS Board of Directors, the elected volunteer entity with oversight of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit school.

"Quality is not achieved through a single outstanding year," he said. "It comes from building an organization that consistently holds itself to the highest standards. AMS Accreditation affirms that MMS has established the foundation and is well positioned for a sustainable future.

“Accreditation is not an endpoint—it is a reflection of our shared commitment to continuous growth, maintaining high standards, and living the principles of Montessori each day. Together, we will continue building a school where children are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential, where educators are respected, and where families are valued,” Brad said.

Improvement, growth and transformation

MMS has been intensely invested in staff-wide curriculum alignment, strategic planning, teacher training, and board development for several years part of the AMS Pathways to Continuous School Improvement process leading towards accreditation.

Two years ago, MMS was officially approved as an Accreditation Candidate School and undertook a comprehensive school-wide internal evaluation of our programs, operations, and alignment with more than 100 AMS standards before hosting an on-site peer visit last spring.

The accreditation team observed classrooms in action, toured facilities and gained feedback from staff, parents and board members during its four-day. visit in May.

Among its many observations, the site team emphasized:

• "The consummate commitment to Montessori best practices, to reaching every child in his or her own way, and to helping each child embrace the joy of discovery."

• "The efficiency of its administration and staff, crafted through the leadership of Head of School Jennifer Carriger, who embraced the self-study process and developed policies and procedures encompassing so many facets of the school."

• "The leadership of the Board in supporting the self-study process and the enthusiastic participation of the entire staff are reflected in the quality of the outcome and the qualities of the school."

A way up to a better world

In notifying MMS of its accreditation status in July, the AMS said, “The most powerful aspect of the accreditation process is that it is truly the impetus for continuous improvement, growth, and transformation. As Montessorians, we know there is a way up toward a better world for our children, and we also know the stairs we need to get there won't build themselves. We need to continue to grow and develop, and along the way celebrate each step of the journey.

“We acknowledge the dedication and commitment you made in achieving accreditation. Your continued commitment to upholding the highest standards of Montessori education and working toward continuous school improvement is to be commended. The AMS community joins (us) in congratulating you on this tremendous endeavor.”

Founded in 1976, MMS is West Virginia’s original Montessori school. What started as a single primary classroom is now a fully-implemented Montessori school with an expansive child-centered curriculum serving nearly 200 children ages 2 through eighth grade. MMS has campuses in Kanawha City (4801 Staunton Avenue, SE) and the University of Charleston neighborhood (308

20^th Street, SE).