IMC Accreditation work began in 1998 and is international in focus and accepting of multiple trainings with an emphasis on supporting all types of Montessori schools through a process that is positive and growth enhancing.
The purpose of the IMC School Accreditation program is to educate administrators and trustees of the Best Practices of Montessori Leadership used by the world's most respected and successful Montessori schools as well as to provide the public with information that can assist them in the selection of schools that meet recognized standards of excellence in Montessori educational practice.
Self-Study
The self-study process provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to take a look at their school and all of its practices and procedures. In so doing, they will determine areas of strength in their educational program, financial position, and facilities.They will also pinpoint areas that need further development to enhance and strengthen their uniqueness.
Verification Visit
Professional validation by the On-Site Team results in:
✔ Commendations
✔ Required Actions
✔ Recommendations
Required Actions
There are no required actions!
Vision:
❖ is to be an exemplary Montessori School enriched with methods, materials, and facilities relevant to a contemporary understanding of the needs of the child.
❖ for our school is a Montessori school community of supportive parents, dedicated teachers and staff, and joyful learners.
❖ Our broadest vision is of a world that lives in peace; a world community based on interdependence and respect for all life and all people.
Mission:
❖ to contribute, significantly, to a better world.
❖ to prepare children for life through learning experiences based on authentic Montessori principles and practices.
School Wide Commendations
Culture
OSVT commends the entire school for its family friendly atmosphere that supports the needs of parents and children from Infants through Middle School. There is a healthy and happy vibration to the school which has been felt and communicated by all stakeholder groups during meetings.
School Wide Commendations
OSVT commends the communication process schoolwide as it has comprehensive, forward thinking avenues for sharing information.
Families, teachers, and staff reported that there are YouTube videos for learning procedures, handbooks, the Montessori app, digital newsletters, (this newsletter is shared globally!), a Montessori digital platform (MRX), as well as communication through events and activities, the classrooms, and children. The Glass Classroom was noted as an exceptional avenue to educate parents on the scope and sequence of the curriculum at all levels.
School Wide Commendations
OSVT commends the administrative staff, extended care, and all other helping hands for their work on a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour and week-to-week basis.
Insert Picture of School
Standard I Vision and Purpose
The school has a well-developed vision and purpose, and the integrity of Montessori philosophy and curriculum is maintained through alignment to this purpose.The vision and purpose of the school is reviewed through a collaborative effort that includes input from the school community and is communicated to all stakeholders.
Commendations
The OnSite Verification Team (OSVT) commends all stakeholders (parents, teachers, staff, leadership, and older students) for being able to articulate and live the mission and core values of Montessori.
Commendations
OSVT commends teachers and staff to include all leads, assistants and after care staff, who live the vision and mission of the school for their commitment to providing high fidelity Montessori in all programs to include before, during, and after school care.
Standard II
Governance and Leadership
The school is led and supported by governance/ownership and Administrative leadership that is committed to ensuring student learning and school effectiveness through the implementation of Montessori philosophy and methodology.
Leadership
Commendations
OSVT commends Patty Sobelman, Head of School; Joy Fields, Financial Director; Lupe Gill and Mayra Godoy-Front Office Administrative Team; and Jena Murski, Facilities Director; for their collaborative leadership style. As a result, parents, teachers, staff, administration, and students feel supported, respected, and valued on a daily basis.
Standard III
Education Program
The school provides an educational program that is effective and consistent with the characteristics of authentic Montessori practice at each age level offered.
Commendations
Educational Nature
OSVT commends Pines Montessori School for being a community of adults who learn from, and share with, one another to create a unified vision and continuum of learning (with vertical and horizontal alignment) across the all programs.
Commendations
Continual Growth in Programming
OSVT commends Chef Liz Valades and the kitchen faculty for having created a transformational cooking program for the school. This vision from the Head of School has been incrementally implemented based upon the facility and budget with a plan for continued growth of the program into a full culinary teaching kitchen. Kitchen Connections supports the vision of Earth and Health Connections programs and is engaged with each community from toddler through middle school.
Recommendations
Toddler: Curriculum Materials
Standard 3, Indicator 3.6
OSVT honors and recognizes that the learning materials in a toddler community are “played with” strongly and receive a lot of wear and tear. The OSVT recommends that the toddler teachers engage in a process to evaluate/repair/or prioritize replacement of learning materials.
Recommendations
Early Childhood: Practical Life
Standard 3, Indicator 3.6
OSVT recommends that the Primary (early childhood) classroom teachers, assistants and after school staff engage in a deep dive into the Practical Life curriculum, evaluate and examine all the practical life lessons, including handwashing, table scrubbing, indoor and outdoor plant care, indoor care of the environment, self-care, easel painting, large art projects and independent cleaning lessons. The daily care of the classroom, snack, lunch and nap routines provide ample opportunities for the children to practice these skills with real positive impact. We encourage the teachers to give every child every opportunity to “do for themselves and their community so they fully develop their independence”.
Recommendations
Early Childhood: Revisit morning group times
Standard 3, Indicator 3.7
OSVT recommends that the Primary (early childhood) communities revisit the need for two morning group times every day.
OSVT encourages that the children come into the classroom and begin working. OSVT reason for this recommendation is so the long uninterrupted work cycle is established and honored and free of any interruption including adult directed whole group lessons.
Recommendations
Lower Elementary: Curriculum Materials
Standard 3, Indicator 3.6
OSVT recommends that as the communities move into the new space that the materials of the botany and zoology curriculum be inventoried and a budget created to purchase an additional set of these materials. As of right now they are sharing these curriculum materials between the Lower Elementary North and South communities.
Recommendations
Upper Elementary: Materials
Standard 3, Indicator 3.6
OSVT recommends as this community moves into two communities next year, that the curriculum materials be inventoried and a budget created to purchase an additional set of materials. This budget may be for a two or three year period.
Recommendations
Upper Elementary: Cultivating Culture
Standard 3, Indicators 3.9 & 3.10
OSVT honors that the teachers and students are living in a brand new space and that is only temporary. This is truly a transitional year for the program. OSVT recommends that the teachers and students be engaged in forward planning for the culture of each new classroom. As this larger classroom will grow into two communities it is important to develop a reflective process where the students can recognize and be the agents of change to cultivate a community of learning free of distracted, disrupted or non-working behavior.
Recommendations
Middle School: Service Learning
Standard 3, Indicator 3.5
OSVT recommends that the Middle School teachers explore the possibilities of service learning for the larger community. This exploration will include the research of service learning opportunities that are not just limited to in-school service learning, but rather to find their voice in the larger community. The research and work can be done within the classroom. Service Learning could also be once a year and/or possibility on the weekend. OSVT understands that the transportation of students is restrictive for all private schools and encourages the Middle School teachers to broaden their perspective and approach to this integral part of the Middle School program.
Standard IV
Resources
The school provides appropriate resources to ensure effective implementation of its vision and purpose, consistent with the characteristics of authentic Montessori philosophy and methodology.
Leadership
Commendations
OSVT commends the excellence in leadership, from the Head of School, Financial Director and Board of Trustees. Their commitment and dedication to the financial health of the school both for the short and long term is evident. They are committed to faculty and staff professional development and establishing long term goals for the school’s future, and continuously working together to meet the current and growing needs of the school.
Commendations
Hiring and Professional Development
OSVT commends the school leadership for supporting, recruiting, hiring, and retaining exceptionally qualified teachers. We commend the dedication and financial commitment to providing the entire faculty, school leadership, kitchen faculty and extended care staff with meaningful professional development. Montessori teacher certification is from a variety of MACTE-accredited training programs such as: IMC, AMI, AMS, or other independent programs.
Standard V
Cycle of Continuous Improvement
The school engages stakeholders in a systematic process to evaluate student learning and school effectiveness contributing to a 3-5-year strategic plan.
Commendations
Strategic Planning
OSVT commends the school for the comprehensiveness of their past and present strategic plans based on student progress, and the efficacy and needs of all programs and facilities.
Sheila Linville
Director of Accreditation (IMC)
Senior Consultant Montessori
Foundation
sheilalinville@montessori.org
Kathy Leitch
Executive Director (IMC)
Senior Consultant Montessori
Foundation
kathyleitch@montessori.org
Kristi Antczak
Director of Operations Montessori
Foundation
Director of Member Services (IMC)
imc@montessori.org
Thank you for your care, commitment, grit, and love for the future adult.
