History of Cyprus Schools
2005
Cyprus Classical Montessori was founded by Michelle Wallick and opened its doors in a church room on the border of Burnsville and Lakeville. Inspired by the lack of available options for quality early childhood education for her toddler and a life-long history and love of teaching young children, Michelle opened a unique preschool - one that combines the philosophy of a Classical education and Montessori preschool, with an academic focus on acquiring and expanding reading skills and building foundational math skills. This new philosophy exposes students to new worlds of information every day and gives them an excellent foundation for elementary school.
2007
The preschool grew out of the small church room and moved to its current location on County Rd. 5 and Burnsville Parkway, in Burnsville. Cyprus Classical Montessori now has three large classrooms, and is able to accommodate more students!
2010
After developing a popular high-quality and ability-based pre-K and Kindergarten classroom, Michelle realized that the school was attracting high-ability children who were progressing much beyond a typical kindergarten curriculum, and also knew that typcial school pacing and curriculum would not serve the needs of many of Cyprus' students. The school took on more of the space in the same building and Cyprus Classical Academy was founded, an ability-based, (rather than age-based) school for gifted and talented students. That same year, Cyprus School of Music and the Arts was founded and began to offer extra-curricular classes and instrument lessons to preschoolers and elementary students.
2012
Cyprus Classical Montessori became licensed to serve Toddlers. Michelle wanted to create a very small, loving and caring environment for children 16 months - 2.5-3 years which exposed them to as much experience and information as possible to inspire their interest, imaginations, and educational pursuits. Although we are licensed for more, we limit our enrollment, as it is a high priority to maintain individualized care and an environment where students are able to explore and investigate freely with minimal distraction.
In this same year, Cyprus Classical Academy expanded again and acquired the use of the entire building, allowing for the preschool to have use of a library, a music room and a gym. Cyprus Classical Montessori serves students through kindergarten. Cyprus Classical Academy serves advanced, gifted and talented children from 4 years old through 8th grade. Cyprus School of Music and the Arts now teaches over 100 lessons per week and offers over 25 extracurricular classes per week to our students and the community, ages 3 - Adult in STEM, Music, Art, Drama, and various other subjects.
Cyprus Classical Montessori won the Sun Newspaper's Reader's Choice Award for the best Montessori school for the first time.
In this same year, Cyprus Classical Academy expanded again and acquired the use of the entire building, allowing for the preschool to have use of a library, a music room and a gym. Cyprus Classical Montessori serves students through kindergarten. Cyprus Classical Academy serves advanced, gifted and talented children from 4 years old through 8th grade. Cyprus School of Music and the Arts now teaches over 100 lessons per week and offers over 25 extracurricular classes per week to our students and the community, ages 3 - Adult in STEM, Music, Art, Drama, and various other subjects.
Cyprus Classical Montessori won the Sun Newspaper's Reader's Choice Award for the best Montessori school for the first time.
2013
Cyprus Classical Montessori became accredited by NAEYC, a national organization that requires us to meet rigorous early childhood education standards and guidelines for high-quality care. Becoming an accredited school is a voluntary commitment that can take up to two years to complete. It involves intensive self-study and meeting high standards throughout.
2015
Cyprus Classical Academy started its Super K Program in conjunction with Cyprus Classical Montessori to provide an ability based education to gifted pre-K and Kindergarten students.
Cyprus Classical Montessori won the Sun Newspaper's Reader's Choice Award for Best Montessori School for the second time.
Cyprus Classical Montessori won the Sun Newspaper's Reader's Choice Award for Best Montessori School for the second time.
2016
Cyprus Classical Montessori won the 2016 Sun Newspaper's Reader's Choice Award for Best Montessori School for the third time!
Cyprus Classical Montessori shares a building with:
Cyprus Classical Academy, a private gifted elementary school.
and
Cyprus School of Music and the Arts, which offers many after school activities to our preschool and elementary students as well as the general community.