History of FME

A Special Legacy

The Foundation is very proud of its unique legacy with the Montessori family.  Dr. Maria Montessori’s son, Mario Montessori, inaugurated the first AMI Montessori Teacher Training Centre in Canada in 1971.

The first training course was established at Victoria College on the University of Toronto campus where it remained until 1977.

After a period of operation in a well-recognized Montessori school in Richmond Hill, the AMI established the Foundation for Montessori Education as an independent AMI Teacher Training Centre in Toronto in 1989 led by Mrs. Renilde Montessori.

The Montessori Connection

Mrs. Renilde Montessori, Dr. Montessori’s youngest granddaughter, founded FME in 1989 where she served as the Director of Training until her departure in 1995.

The Foundation was incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization, with the primary purpose of promoting Montessori education based on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori.

Did You Know?

  • FME is one of only two AMI Montessori Training Centres in Canada
  • Over 2,500 individuals have graduated from AMI programs at FME since 1989
  • FME is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization
  • FME is also registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career College Act 2005

FME Graduation Statistics

Every year, the Private Career Colleges (PCC) of Ontario conducts a survey of its graduates to assess a number of Key Performance Indicators such as graduation rate, employment rate and satisfaction rate.

FME’s 2021 PCC survey results are outlined below:

  • Graduation rate: 100%
  • Graduation employment rate is 100%  with 75% of our graduates employed in their field of study
  • Graduate satisfaction rate: 100%

Our Vision

To transform the FME into an integrative Montessori resource and training centre that supports our local and global communities.

Our Mission

To make the world a better place for every child by educating society about Montessori education as an aid to life.

Our Mandate

To provide quality Montessori education to adults so they are well-prepared to support children’s holistic development.