Tremont Montessori Becomes First Public School in Ohio to Earn National Accreditation (Video)

Tremont Montessori School made history recently by becoming the first public elementary Montessori school in Ohio to receive accreditation from the American Montessori Society (AMS), a milestone that Principal Natalie Celeste calls a "huge accomplishment." 

The school, which serves pre-K through eighth grade, earned the prestigious accreditation after a rigorous multi-year process that involved meeting nine standards and 90 criteria. Celeste, who has led the school for eight years, emphasized the importance of this recognition.  

“It is the gold standard for Montessori education and the platinum standard for public Montessori,” said Celeste, who has been the school’s principal for the last eight years. 

 In 2005, two Montessori schools merged to form the school as it is today. Celeste explained that accreditation was always part of the vision.  

“The way we know if we’re exemplary is if we actually earn accreditation from this national Montessori organization instead of just saying we’re the best,” said Celeste.  

To achieve this, the school underwent a rigorous review process that included a self-study, a detailed application, and a site visit from seven evaluators from across the country and Mexico.  

“They were here for three days, observing every classroom, looking at our materials, interviewing every staff member, community member, and parent,” Celeste recalled.  

The school learned of its accreditation on Valentine’s Day. “It was a great Valentine’s Day gift,” Celeste said with a smile.  

Montessori education differs from traditional models by focusing on the “whole child” and human development, rather than just academics.  

“It is a human development model that follows six-year cycles of growth, with education revolving around the developmental sensitivities and needs of each age group,” Celeste described. 

Key elements of Montessori education include: 

• Multi-age classrooms where students stay with the same teacher for three years 
• Uninterrupted work cycles of up to three hours 
• Hands-on Montessori materials 
• A child-centered approach to learning 

“It’s about intellectual independence,” Celeste said. “In first through third grade, students start as novices, then become apprentices, and finally masters as they grow into leaders in their classroom.” 

For Celeste, accreditation was about more than just recognition, it was about ensuring that all children, regardless of background, have access to a high-quality Montessori education.  

“Our children deserve what private school children are getting. Human development is human development. If we create the right environment, we can support all of our students,” she said.  

The achievement is especially meaningful for the dedicated teachers who have kept Montessori alive in Cleveland.  

“Some of our teachers have been doing this for 20, 25, even 26 years,” Celeste said. “They deserve this national recognition.” 

The accreditation also comes at an emotional time for the school community, following the passing of a beloved veteran teacher Katherine Moskal, a 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.  

“Her legacy lives on in this school. "This achievement honors her and every teacher who has been part of our journey,” Celeste said.  

 With accreditation secured for the next five years, Tremont Montessori will begin preparations for renewal in year three. But for now, Celeste says, the school will take time to celebrate.  

“There aren’t many people who have the moxie to go after this accreditation, but we did. And we did it together,” she said proudly.