Cypress Montessori Academy

Some of the low ratings here are apparently due to a previous director back in 2012 – 2013. We had friends who had their two children enrolled here during the change in directors and they laid it all out for us. They explained that the original director of the school, several years back did a good job of maintaining a high standard of excellence in both staffing and curriculum. That director left and was replaced by someone less capable for a couple years and the school suffered as a result. Thankfully, that less-​capable director is no longer with Cypress Montessori Academy. For the past year or two, since the new director, Ms. Carissa was hired, the school has once again returned to excellence.
My wife and I visited many different preschools in the area and we found the staff and curriculum here to be exactly what we were looking for… although we did not know it at first. The other Montessori schools we visited were a bit too basic for our son and they adhered to a philosophical stance so much as to not see what individual interests a child might have and how to nurture those interests. I should add that Cypress Montessori Academy is not a «typical» Montessori. We were originally put-​off a bit when we first visited CMA. The children were much more academically focused than we had anticipated. We walked in and all of these kids, some very small, very young, were already reading! And reading big, thick books, too. We worried that our young son might lose some of his joy and wonder if he was pushed into academics at so young an age. I worried about possible stress for him. I was also secretly concerned that maybe he would have trouble «keeping up.» Thankfully, all these fears were completely unfounded.
After attending CMA for the past year, our son is now reading those same big books, AND HE LOVES IT. He loves reading, and writing and math… and science, and art, and music and history. He is soaking up everything like a sponge and he is HAPPY. Oh, they still play and have recess and he enjoys that, too, of course. Their curriculum is more balanced than I first realized and the teachers are amazing at providing the one-​on-​one time each child needs.
Cypress Montessori Academy has a great, nurturing environment for our child. I am so happy with our decision to bring him here. And if that wasn’t enough, they also have extended hours. So for a small extra fee, we can opt to pick up our son a bit later. At first, we thought that we would never want to leave our son at school after the normal curriculum hours, but one day I was running late and was glad to have the option… and my son enjoyed all the after school activities enough that he asked to be picked up late the following day.
CMA isn’t a big school. It isn’t a fancy school, but it has what’s important… a kind and caring staff with a proven curriculum & teaching methodology where kids enjoy learning, growing and becoming positive beacons in our society.

Good School, Very good teachers.

We are so thankful we came across this lovely Montessori school. My son who is 4 years old loves going to school everyday. His teacher, Miss Shamila is awesome! She is caring, patient, kind and very understanding. We love the fact that she gives him one on one time with his academics. He also has developed good habits of picking up after himself, learning to have self control and being more confident.
The school promotes independence, self reliance and creativity which we absolutely support and love! The staff, especially Miss Carissa does a great job in keeping parents well informed and up to date with all special events, learning activities and curriculum.
We also have a 2 year old son which we would love to enroll when the time is right. He is always so excited to drop off and pick up his big brother. We truly feel our son has developed great learning habits which will help him not only for kindergarten, but the rest of his life. And we thank Cypress Montessori Academy for this gift. :)

Cypress Montessori Academy is an amazing place! There’s so much thought and concern that the staff pour into every aspect of the curriculum and the facility. I never have any worry about my child’s safety, diet, playtime, and learning curriculum. Staff is well versed in dealing with all types of children.
My sons teacher is Ms. Shamila and I cannot write enough to express how much she has done for him and for us. She gives us guidance to connect with him and focus him into becoming a much more compassionate child. He talks to be about what he learns everyday and how happy he is to go to school. He has not gotten up ever and said,” i don’t want to go to school” since we started here.
Their program covers every aspect of my child’s life: language and literature, social relationships, mathematics and science, health and safety, and the creative arts (music, art and movement). There is a balance between vigorous, stimulating activities and quiet, restful activities.
All the teachers seem to have taken a vested interest in the school and every child that comes through their door. There always seems to be a deep concern for kids and their development.
They typically always have a long waiting list, which indirectly says something about the school.
I feel very lucky to have my child is such a great facility.

Cypress Montessori Rocks! My daughter has been in this school for over a year. Teachers are very co-​operative and their curriculum is thorough. She enjoyed the summer program. The activities during summer very diverse and well planned. I am glad I made the right choice for my daughter:)

We have put both our kids through this school and have been very happy.
Bottom-​line: My kids excelled in all categories and the Montessori is one of the most reasonably priced schools you can find. I would not even bother putting your kids to daycare when this place exists!
Daughter one (7) is now in public 1^st grade in Rossmoor. She is much more advanced than her peers in both reading and math and has already been given an award for her creativity. Has been attending Montessori for two years. Since I still have one at Montessori, the teachers actually offered and gave me supplemental work for my 1^st grader to keep her challenged.
Daughter two (5) and has been attending Montessori for 1.5 years. Her weekly homework is actually more challenging than my 1^st graders public school homework.
She is on triple digit, carryover addition and some of her last vocal words were ‘together’ ‘important’ ‘between’. Also, this Montessori has a daily reading comprehension assignment at school and home that we think is brilliant.
Each year there is also a Spring and Winter dance and singing show the kids put on in an outside auditorium that is very well coordinated. They even hire a videographer so parents can just sit back and enjoy.
This school constantly has a waiting list so that tells you something.
School is from 9am to 3pm but you can drop from 7am to 6pm which only costs slightly more. Also it is a year round school. During summer, they allow you to prorate as much as you want for any vacations. We plan on putting my first grader back in as many of her past classmates also come back in for summer and she looks forward to it.
This is a pretty hard core learning establishment comprised of mostly hard working immigrant families that understand the importance of getting their kids prepared for the hard and expensive academic road ahead.

Really worst school my child has ever been too. Teachers are the worst here. They don’t care about kids. They have no passion for teaching. They make students watch T.V. from 4 – 6 pm. Teachers are rude to kids. I am seriously thinking of pulling my kid from school. The Director is the worst of all the teachers. They promise lot of things on open night but they dont keep them. They say they have curriculum but I have never received it. They ask for money for every little things.

I am very disappointed with this school and teachers. Note: none of good reviews are recent, they are couple years old. I moved my child to this school in August 2012 and I am withdrawing the child. Teachers don’t seem to have passion, they constantly complain about your child. They make kids cramp their math or writing, rather than following Montessori Method of Teaching. I have asked for curricullum several times and still haven’t received it. They keep asking for stationary, supplies and money every month. Security is also biggest concern, teachers don’t even pay attention to who picks up the child, if they are authorized or not. They don’t even pay attention to hygiene, doesn’t make a child wash his face if it is dirty.

(UPDATE) Review is ONLY for Fall 2008 to Fall 2012: Yes, this school is still awesome. I needed to update and remove specific names mentioned in the early post and that is because all of the teachers/​staffs here are wonderful. Their dedication and commitment is absolutely admirable. My four year old has learned so much within the last two years, not just in academic, but also learning to play and interact with other kids in a very positive way.