Montessori Center of Minnesota

About the Montessori Center of Minnesota (MCM) and Cornerstone

The mission of the Montessori Center of Minnesota (MCM) is to transform lives and society by broadening access to the power of Dr. Maria Montessori’s proven method of education. MCM’s work is centered on the core values of transformation, work, community, intentionality, and civility. Located on the East Side of St. Paul, MCM operates a premier training center for Montessori teachers and leads a collaborative to expand the access to high-fidelity Montessori programs, including Cornerstone Montessori School (CMS), a non-profit Montessori school for children 15 months through 6 years. Also housed in its facility is Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School (CMES,) a public charter Montessori school for grades K-6. MCM also offers outreach programs, including (1) Montessori Partners Serving All Children (MPSAC),  a remarkable collaborative that builds and uses relationships with schools and other organizations to increase access to Montessori education for under-resourced families in Minnesota; (2) Parent Engagement Initiative, which promotes positive parent-child interactions; (3) Mentorship and Professional Development, which provides ongoing professional development and mentorship to MCM’s teachers-in-training, alumni, and practicing Montessori teachers from throughout the region; and 4) Serving the Whole Child, a partnership with St. Catherine University, which supports MPSAC schools with program evaluation and parent enrichment activities.

Led by Molly O’Shaughnessy, an internationally recognized expert in Montessori education, MCM has trained the world’s leading Montessori teachers through rigorous, high-quality, hands-on training since 1973. MCM provides Lead Guide training at the Primary (for ages 3-6) and Elementary (for ages 6-12) levels, as well as Primary and Elementary Assistant Courses. All training courses are accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the only organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori herself. MCM’s courses are also accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).