Cypress Junction Montessori

Q: Is Cypress Junction Montessori a good school?

Cypress Junction Montessori ranks 1478 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Cypress Junction Montessori is a public charter elementary and middle school located in Winter Haven, Florida, serving 196 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Cypress Junction Montessori consistently outperforms the Polk County and Florida state averages in various standardized test scores, including FAST/English Language Arts, FAST/Math, and EOC/Algebra 1. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in FAST/English Language Arts for grades 3-8 ranged from 37% to 65%, compared to Polk County's 39% to 50% and Florida's 50% to 55%. Additionally, the school has an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 0% for the past four school years, significantly lower than the district and state averages. Cypress Junction Montessori also has a more racially diverse student population compared to nearby schools, such as Hartridge Academy, Pinewood Elementary School, and Inwood Elementary School.

While Cypress Junction Montessori outperforms the nearby schools in academic metrics, it is important to note that the surrounding schools serve a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, which can impact their academic outcomes. The lower free and reduced lunch rates at Cypress Junction Montessori suggest that the school may have a more advantaged student population. However, the school's consistent academic growth, low chronic absenteeism rate, small student-teacher ratio, and Montessori-based educational approach may be contributing factors to its success. Further investigation into the school's practices and resources could provide valuable insights into how Cypress Junction Montessori is able to achieve such strong academic outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Charter PK, KG-8

220 5th St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 259-1490

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1478^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,873

Student/teacher ratio: 13.7

Number of students: 193

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.7%

Hispanic:

23.8%

African American:

9.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 1.5%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Cypress Junction Montessori ranks worse than 65.5% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 40^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 35.39. (See more...)

Compare Details Cypress Junction Montessori ranks better than 52.8% of middle schools in Florida. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 51.6. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (61.7%), Hispanic (23.8%), African American (9.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cypress Junction Montessori is 13.7, which is the 10^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Cypress Junction Montessori employs 14 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cypress Junction Montessori is $9,873. 59 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Cypress Junction Montessori was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Cypress Junction Montessori 565^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Cypress Junction Montessori in the ranking list.)

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Cypress Junction Montessori

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2019	36.16	1419^th	2182	35.0%
2021	71.83	609^th	2247	72.9%
2022	68.17	662^nd	2219	70.2%
2023	61.22	811^th	2240	63.8%
2024	35.39	1478^th	2256	34.5%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Cypress Junction Montessori

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2019	50.79	537^th	1099	51.1%
2021	64.24	373^rd	1136	67.2%
2022	76.75	239^th	1148	79.2%
2023	71.84	301^st	1177	74.4%
2024	51.60	565^th	1196	52.8%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Sunday, December 15, 2019

Montessori in name only. This is a school majorly suffering from an identity crisis. I just got the word in an email from the "Executive Director" that the FOURTH principal in FOUR years has been fired. The administration knows NOTHING about education and even less about Montessori. The only people that seem to know anything is the teachers and they seem like they are prisoners. I've been a father in this school for a couple of years. The current ED seems to be a controlling person who can't keep staff. My kids have had several teachers over the years because they can't keep teachers. A friend asked me recently if this was a school for special needs students and I have to say there do seem to be some kids who act badly in all my kids classes. I am considering pulling my kids unless the board takes SERIOUS ACTION to control their ED. We've toured Lakeland Montessori and Magnolia Montessori Academy and I'm hoping that we will get them off the waiting list soon and into another school with more stability. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Cypress Junction Montessori

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2017	94	17	3	21	0	0	2	137
2018	111	17	3	24	0	0	3	158
2019	130	16	3	37	1	0	6	193
2020	134	14	3	37	1	0	7	196
2021	122	23	4	36	1	0	5	191
2022	136	19	4	30	0	0	6	195
2023	135	15	3	35	0	0	8	196
2024	119	18	3	46	0	2	5	193

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Cypress Junction Montessori

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	137	11.0	12.4	2.2
2018	158	13.0	12.1	3.2
2019	193	11.0	17.5	11.9
2020	196	11.0	17.8	12.8
2021	191	13.0	14.6	1.6
2022	195	13.0	15.0	1.5
2023	196	13.0	15.0	1.5
2024	193	14.0	13.7	n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Cypress Junction Montessori

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	137	11.0	12.4	2.2
2018	158	13.0	12.1	3.2
2019	193	11.0	17.5	11.9
2020	196	11.0	17.8	12.8
2021	191	13.0	14.6	1.6
2022	195	13.0	15.0	1.5
2023	196	13.0	15.0	1.5
2024	193	14.0	13.7	n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cypress Junction Montessori

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,651 (19.5%)	$6,825 (80.5%)	$8,476
2019	$103 (1.5%)	$6,824 (98.5%)	$6,928
2020	$150 (2.0%)	$7,197 (98.0%)	$7,347
2021	$356 (4.6%)	$7,362 (95.4%)	$7,718
2022	$574 (7.1%)	$7,475 (92.9%)	$8,049
2023	$1,562 (15.8%)	$8,311 (84.2%)	$9,873

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cypress Junction Montessori

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1419^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 811^th of 2240 Elementary schools	28.8%
Ranks 537^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 301^st of 1177 Middle schools	23.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cypress Junction Montessori)	47	81	34%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cypress Junction Montessori)	58	71	13%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cypress Junction Montessori)	71	91	20%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cypress Junction Montessori)	29	68	39%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cypress Junction Montessori)	43	50	7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cypress Junction Montessori)	39	45	6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Cypress Junction Montessori)	43	67	24%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Cypress Junction Montessori)	64	81	17%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Cypress Junction Montessori)	36	70	34%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Cypress Junction Montessori)	68	72	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Cypress Junction Montessori)	74	72	2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Cypress Junction Montessori)	56	56
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Cypress Junction Montessori)	21	50	29%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Cypress Junction Montessori)	28	44	16%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	193	196	1.6%
African American	16	15	6.3%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	3	3
Hispanic	37	35	5.4%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	130	135	3.8%
Two or More Races	6	8	33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	11.9%	1.5%	10.4%

Schools Near Cypress Junction Montessori

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cypress Junction Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	220 5th St SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 259-1490	193	14	13.7		119 (61.7%)	18 (9.3%)	46 (23.8%)	3 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	5 (2.6%)	35.4	1478^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.5%		61.2	811^th of 2240 public elementary schools	63.8%	667	55.0	53.0	54.0	58.0	37.0	65.0	40.0	47.0	25.0	50.0	60.0		29.0	41.0	72.0		$9,873	$1,562	$8,311
Frank E. Brigham Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	601 Avenue C SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 291-5300	551	32	17.2	49.5%	230 (41.7%)	137 (24.9%)	144 (26.1%)	20 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.6%)	90.7	153^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	93.2%		84.6	296^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.8%	143	80.0	76.0	81.0				80.0	76.0	82.0				73.0				$9,878	$1,088	$8,791
Inwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 Avenue G NW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5369	393	14	28.0	81.4%	58 (14.8%)	199 (50.6%)	114 (29.0%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.6%)	14.9	2035^th of 2256 public elementary schools	9.8%		29.6	1622^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	27.6%	413	24.0	33.0	32.0				32.0	35.0	38.0				45.0				$12,064	$2,143	$9,921
Elbert Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 15th St NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5364	596	32	18.6	71.8%	136 (22.8%)	214 (35.9%)	212 (35.6%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (5.2%)	27.7	1697^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.8%		25.1	1740^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.3%	43	32.0	51.0	44.0				36.0	54.0	34.0				38.0				$11,542	$2,282	$9,260
Lake Shipp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	250 Camellia Dr	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5384	620	26	23.8	78.9%	153 (24.7%)	220 (35.5%)	198 (31.9%)	11 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (5.8%)	24.1	1791^st of 2256 public elementary schools	20.6%		32.7	1537^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.4%	254	40.0	40.0	37.0				58.0	36.0	38.0				32.0				$8,752	$1,570	$7,180
Jewett School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	2250 8th St NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 291-5373	737	46	16.0	60.5%	183 (24.8%)	343 (46.5%)	172 (23.3%)	10 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (3.9%)	39.9	1347^th of 2256 public elementary schools	40.3%		30	1610^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.1%	263	51.0	48.0	52.0	57.0	46.0	48.0	51.0	34.0	39.0	59.0	26.0	43.0	51.0	31.0	75.0	73.0	$11,006	$1,267	$9,740
Winter Haven Head Start	Public	PK	135 Avenue Y NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 298-5631	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Fred G. Garner Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	2500 Havendale Blvd NW	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5455	840	52	16.1	81.8%	145 (17.3%)	341 (40.6%)	329 (39.2%)	7 (0.8%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (1.7%)	32.3	1552^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	31.2%		15.6	2013^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.1%	461	42.0	34.0	51.0				48.0	47.0	53.0				45.0				$9,948	$2,099	$7,849
John Snively Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	848 Snively Ave	Eloise	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5325	397	25	15.8	84.9%	74 (18.6%)	78 (19.6%)	227 (57.2%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.5%)	31.7	1571^st of 2256 public elementary schools	30.4%		26.1	1714^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.5%	143	51.0	38.0	44.0				62.0	43.0	40.0				36.0				$13,454	$2,555	$10,899
Pinewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 Gilbert St	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 298-7977	692	44	15.7	69.8%	215 (31.1%)	145 (21.0%)	303 (43.8%)	2 (0.3%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	20 (2.9%)	38.4	1381^st of 2256 public elementary schools	38.8%		38.8	1367^th of 2240 public elementary schools	39.0%	14	49.0	47.0	46.0				57.0	52.0	49.0				37.0				$9,660	$1,529	$8,130

Frequently Asked Questions about Cypress Junction Montessori

What is the racial makeup of Cypress Junction Montessori?

Students at Cypress Junction Montessori are 62% White, 24% Hispanic, 9% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

How many students attend Cypress Junction Montessori?

In the 2023-24 school year, 193 students attended Cypress Junction Montessori.

What district is Cypress Junction Montessori in?

Polk

Is Cypress Junction Montessori a good school?

Cypress Junction Montessori ranks 1478^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.