Welcome to the official page of Cypress Junction Montessori – a distinctive public charter school situated in the heart of downtown Winter Haven. We proudly embrace the Montessori Method, a time-honored educational approach that places emphasis on individualized learning and holistic development.

History

A group of parents, whose children were enrolled in a private Montessori preschool, identified a gap in the Winter Haven area's educational landscape. They recognized the absence of a suitable Montessori school option for their children to progress beyond preschool. To address this need, they collaboratively initiated a charter to establish a Montessori school within the Greater Winter Haven area. This concerted effort materialized as the inception of Cypress Junction Montessori (CJM) in the 2016-17 school year. Initially accommodating students through grade 6, CJM progressively expanded its grade levels each subsequent year. Currently, CJM provides Montessori education up to the 8th grade.

Distinguished by its commitment to the time-honored Montessori philosophy, Cypress Junction Montessori holds a distinct position within Winter Haven's educational landscape. By adhering to personalized and holistic teaching methods, CJM effectively caters to the diverse preferences and aspirations of families in the community who value the Montessori educational approach.

How are we different?

What sets Cypress Junction Montessori apart is the vibrant sense of community that we have cultivated. In alignment with the core tenets of the Montessori philosophy, community stands as a cornerstone, playing a pivotal role in nurturing each child's growth. Our dedicated educators firmly believe that children flourish when surrounded by an environment that fosters collaboration, mutual respect, and a profound sense of community. Such an environment not only imparts a sense of value and esteem to the children but also instills traits of responsibility and independence through teamwork and assistance. Furthermore, we recognize the crucial partnership between parents, families, and the school community. This collaboration enhances the child's overall development and well-being, creating a harmonious learning ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.

Curious about the term "Charter School"? A charter school is a public educational institution that offers tuition-free education funded by the state on a per-student basis. Cypress Junction receives equitable funding comparable to other public and magnet schools in Winter Haven. Our establishment extends its services to students spanning from Kindergarten to 8th grade, with the added convenience of an on-campus preschool catering to 3 and 4-year-olds.

At Cypress Junction Montessori, we operate as a lottery-based charter school, ensuring equitable access to our transformative educational experience. In order to participate in the enrollment lottery, all prospective students are required to submit an application. This lottery-based system guarantees a fair and inclusive selection process, enhancing the diversity and enriching the fabric of our learning community.

Seeking our location? Cypress Junction Montessori is centrally situated at 220 5th Street SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880.

Our Mission & Vision

Mission: Cypress Junction Montessori encourages the development of the whole child by providing a comprehensive Montessori education. 

We do this through: 

• Cultivating independent thought, foundational skills, awareness of their environment, empathy for others, social ease, and high self-esteem in every student. 
• Establishing within each child the intellectual, emotional, and physical rigor needed to become a self-directed learner, flexible thinker, and creative problem solver. 
• Supporting each student’s ever-increasing curiosity about the world in which they live. 
• Instilling the values and skills necessary to help our students to grow up to be successful global citizens. 
• Bringing academic standards and student passions together to fuel a desire to learn. 

Vision: Cypress Junction Montessori sets children on a path that embraces creativity, builds self-awareness and helps them develop the academic skills, physical tools and personal confidence necessary for lifelong success.

Cypress Junction Montessori admits students of any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.