Lower Elementary Montessori Diploma
Qualify to teach children aged 6 to 9 in a Montessori classroom. Accredited by MACTE at Elementary I level through 17 June 2032 — the only MACTE-accredited Elementary Montessori teacher training programme in South Africa. R63 000, at our Linbro Park campus.
Course at a glance
Why this qualification is hard to find in South Africa
Most South African Montessori providers train only for the 3–6 age group. If your preschool is extending into Grade 1 to 3, or you want to follow your children into the elementary years, this is the qualification your teachers need — and MACTE's public register shows the College of Modern Montessori holding Elementary I accreditation through 17 June 2032, the only such accreditation held by a South African institution.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 2027 course fee | R63 000 |
| Deposit on application | R8 000 |
| Age group | Lower elementary: 6 to 9 years |
| Entry requirement | A Montessori 3–6 (early childhood) qualification |
| Duration | 1–2 years |
| Campus | To be announced |
| Accreditation | MACTE, Elementary I level, accredited through 17 June 2032 |
| Next intake | 2027 — contact the Registrar for confirmed dates |
What you will study
The elementary years call for a different approach from early childhood. Where the 3–6 child absorbs the world through the senses, the 6–9 child reasons, questions and wants to know why. The course covers Montessori philosophy for the second plane of development and the reasoning mind; Cosmic Education and the Great Lessons; and the elementary curriculum across Mathematics, Language, Geometry, Biology, History and Geography, alongside classroom leadership and partnership with families.
Who this course is for
- Qualified 3–6 Montessori directresses who want to follow their children into the elementary years rather than hand them on at six.
- Montessori preschools extending into primary and needing appropriately qualified staff for Grade 1 to 3.
- Schools wanting a genuine Montessori elementary programme rather than a conventional primary curriculum with Montessori materials added.
Fees and payment options
The 2027 course fee is R63 000, plus a $240 MACTE student registration fee due prior to 18 March 2027. A deposit of R8 000 is payable on submission of the application form. The course fee includes textbooks in eBook format, teaching manuals, examinations and certification.
| Option | Total payable | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Full settlement 5% discount | R59 850 saving R3 150 | R8 000 deposit on application, then R51 850 on or before orientation by EFT, direct deposit or cash. The discount applies only if settled in full on or before orientation, and does not apply to credit card payments. |
| Quarterly no interest | R63 000 | R8 000 deposit on application, then R55 000 in four instalments of R13 750 on 1 March, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November. |
| Monthly 10% interest | R69 300 | R8 000 deposit on application, then R61 300 in nine monthly instalments by recurring EFT, dated 1 March to 1 November. |
Overdue accounts are subject to a 10% late payment penalty. Fees can be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), in which case the 5% full-settlement discount does not apply. The College does not offer financial aid.
Refunds
Fees are refunded in full to any applicant not accepted for the course. Once a student has been accepted, no refund is considered — if a student withdraws mid-cycle the place cannot be filled, so the full course fee remains payable. In the event of pregnancy or illness, postponement may be considered with written confirmation from a medical practitioner; fees remain payable for the year originally enrolled and a place is reserved for the following academic year.
Applying
Places on the Lower Elementary diploma are limited and the intake is small. Contact the Registrar to confirm the next start date, discuss whether your existing 3–6 qualification meets the entry requirement, and arrange a campus visit.
Speak to Adam Darby (Registrar) on 082 896 6162 or email modmont@global.co.za.