Elementary (6-12 years) Diploma Course

June 8, 2026 – July 29, 2028

Redlands, CA, USA

Director of Training: Venus Elliott

This in-person program unfolds over three summers on the Montessori in Redlands campus, offering a deeply immersive Montessori learning experience.

Each summer, adult learners gather in a prepared environment designed to support hands-on exploration, collaborative inquiry, and rich dialogue grounded in Montessori philosophy and practice.

Time between summers is intentionally structured for independent study, observation, practice teaching, and reflection, allowing participants to absorb and apply their learning in thoughtful, developmentally appropriate ways.

The three-summer format supports deep connection to the Montessori approach, to oneself as an adult learner, and to a vibrant community of practice.

Program Highlights

Foundation (3-6) delivered in-person at the beginning of Summer 2026, before the beginning of elementary level content.
Bachelor and Master degree options available through University of Hartford partnership
Summer dorm-style housing through the University of Redlands will be available. (More information to come soon!)
Complete the training on-site in 3 summers.
Montessori in Redlands is located in the historic city of Redlands, California, just one hour from Los Angeles, two hours from San Diego, and 45 minutes from Palm Springs. Nestled at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, the school sits within reach of Southern California’s diverse landscapes: mountains, deserts, beaches, and forests are all a short drive away. The 12-acre campus is located in a quiet residential neighborhood, providing a peaceful and natural setting for children to learn, explore, and grow.

Schedule
Tuition & Fees
Information Session
Application & Admission
Need Guidance?

Course Schedule (over 3 summers)

classes scheduled Monday through Friday

Summer 1: June 8, 2026 – July 31, 2026

June 19, 2026, Center Closed for Juneteenth

July 4, 2026, Center Closed for Independence Day

Summer 2: June 7, 2027 – July 30, 2027

June 18, 2027, Center Closed for Juneteenth

July 5, 2027, Center Closed for Independence Day

Summer 3: June 5, 2028 – July 29, 2028

June 16, 2028, Center Closed for Juneteenth

July 4, 2027, Center Closed for Independence Day

Weekly Schedule

more details coming…

$17,775/ student

$500 Course Registration
$16550 Tuition
$375 AMI/USA Membership Fee (covers 3 years)
$350 MACTE Fee (pending approval)

Students planning to enroll in an AMI Diploma Course should plan for additional expenditures related to books, supplies, materials, housing, and other expenses which are not included in course tuition.

Explore the AMI Elementary Diploma Course at MIR!

Join us for an online information session to learn more about this in-depth and internationally recognized training program. You’ll hear directly from Venus Elliott, AMI Elementary Auxiliary Trainer, who will share an overview of the course structure, content, and expectations. She will also be available to answer your questions about the training, certification process, and how to prepare for it.

To make attendance easy, sessions are held via Zoom on multiple dates throughout the year. Please click here to select the date that works best for your schedule.

If you have any questions in advance, please feel free to email us at training@mir.org.

Criteria for Admission

Acceptance into the 6-12 Diploma Course offered at Montessori in Redlands, in partnership with Montessori Training Center Northeast, is based on the evaluation of the application packet and the applicant’s previous academic record. The educational standard for the course is a bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum average GPA of 3.0 or participation in the University of Hartford’s bachelor’s degree program with a focus on Montessori education. Exceptions are considered on an individual basis and may require an interview.

Successful candidates will demonstrate qualifications and suitability for successful participation in the course, including:

Academic skills for success in a comprehensive and rigorous course of study
Clear oral and written communication
Capacities for organization, time management and attention to detail
Ability to collaborate within the community of the Center, its students and cooperating Montessori schools
Commitment to alternative education
The desire to support human development in positive and life-affirming directions

Application and Admissions Process

1. Complete and Submit Application Form

(Click Here for the Application Checklist)

2. Pay the Application Fee of $150.00.

The application fee is non-refundable.

(payment portal link coming)

3.Submit additional application materials listed below via email to training@mir.org or send by post to Montessori in Redlands:

Montessori in Redlands, attn: Training
1890 Orange Ave
Redlands, CA 92373

Additional Application Materials:

Employment history/resume
Writing Sample – Autobiography
Official transcripts in sealed envelopes from each educational institution attended
Three letters of reference – letters of reference must be written within three years of application date. Letters should include at least one professional reference; others may be personal or academic. The letters should reflect the writer’s knowledge and assessment of the applicant’s character, professional experience, and academic potential and, as applicable, interaction with children and aptitude for work in an alternative educational setting.
Non-Native Speakers of English: TOEFL Scores (pBT minimum score of 550, iBT minimum score of 79) or IELTS Scores (minimum overall score of 6.5)

*Applications are considered active upon receipt of the application fee. No action will be taken on an application for admission until all required materials and the application fee are received.

4. An admission decision letter will be emailed to the candidate upon completion of the application evaluation.

The evaluation of a application file may take up to three (3) weeks.

If the application is accepted, the admission decision letter will include a Tuition Agreement that details the tuition information, payment schedule, and terms. Students sponsored by a third party must provide the sponsor’s contact information before returning the signed Agreement along with the non-refundable program registration fee of $500.00.

5. The candidate responds to admission decision.

To accept the admission decision, the applicant must submit the signed Tuition Agreement and pay the $500 registration fee, which is due within two (2) weeks of receiving the admissions decision. This registration fee is non-refundable.

Please plan to attend one of the information sessions, as many questions about the program and/or coursework will be reviewed and discussed. If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled sessions, a recording will be available upon request

If you have a question that has not been addressed, please send your questions via email to training@mir.org, and we will provide an answer.