Our School
Our Mission is to Prepare Children for Life.
We celebrate each child’s individuality and help them discover how they can best contribute to our world and culture. All children are naturally curious and love to learn; we support this innate drive by providing environments that meet children’s developmental needs, guided by a staff of loving and well-prepared adults, and building a community of families that actively support our mission.
Our school day is from 8:30am-3:00pm, with a half-day option (until 12:00pm) for our preK students. We also offer before and after school care from 7:30am-8:30am and 3:00pm-5:00pm.
About Us
Amelia Island Montessori School (AIMS) is an independent, non-profit school in Fernandina Beach, Florida, offering a private education true to the original teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Founded in 1973, AIMS sits on a beautiful wooded campus within walking distance to the Atlantic Ocean. We are the only school in Nassau County to earn the prestigious Florida Council of Independent Schools accreditation, and are accredited by the American Montessori Society. We welcome children from 18 months to 12 years of age.
AIMS is a place where children love learning and learn the skills that will prepare them for life - where they can benefit from an individualized curriculum, caring faculty, and a method of education that has influenced innovators and thinkers for more than a century.
Why Montessori? Watch this powerful video to learn more!
What Sets Us Apart?
- We are accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)
- The School is led by a dedicated, Montessori-trained and experienced Head of School and a highly-engaged Board of Trustees
- The School is staffed by a passionate team of faculty and administrators
- We have partnered with the Duhovka Institute, which provides a Montessori teacher training center on our campus and ensures the highest standards of Montessori education
- The campus is set in a beautiful, natural, tree-lined and safe setting
- We are an experienced institution and have been a model for Montessori learning for 50 years
- The School is attended by healthy, happy, engaged, and connected families who strive to give their children the very best educational and developmental experiences available
Our Mission
Amelia Island Montessori embodies a child-centered education, grounded in Montessori philosophy and methodology, that supports the "whole child," inspiring independent thinkers and cultivating collaborative citizens.
Strategic Plan
Honoring Our Past & Envisioning our Future (2023-2027)
Vision: AIMS has inspired a love of learning in generations of children for fifty years, and we continue to thrive. Our half-century celebration was a golden opportunity to commemorate our past, acknowledge our present, and recognize our goals for the future.
Reporting Misconduct & Abuse
Amelia Island Montessori School is required to report any suspected cases of misconduct and abuse.
Parent Reviews
“What we value most about Amelia Island Montessori is the genuine care for each child as a whole person - not just a student. The teachers meet them where they are, help them grow at their own pace, and guide them with kindness, patience, and respect. The sense of community and the peaceful, purposeful environment make AIMS a truly special place. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of it.”
Jessa D.
"My son attends the Primary program at AIMS, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. We've watched him grow and develop so quickly, and it's clear he feels safe, supported, and genuinely seen by his teachers. The staff truly seem invested in each child, and we're so grateful to be part of such a special community."
Kim D.