Maria Montessori founded AMI in 1929 so that her method would be protected in its entirety.   AMI certified teachers are expected to hold up high standards. These standards are protected by AMI.

The AMI school recognition program was initiated in the United States for the benefit of parents by providing a measure of whether schools are following Dr. Montessori's principles and practices in their original integrity and completeness. A set of pedagogical standards was developed by AMI for this purpose. It us upon these standards that AMI recognition is granted annually.