For Lynn Cherry, education has never just been a career — it’s been a calling. A Montessori-trained educator with 24 years of experience across public, private, and Montessori schools, Lynn always knew she was destined for the classroom. “I was that little girl playing school in the basement,” she laughs. “My dad always said, ‘Your education is the most important thing in life,’ and that really stuck with me.”
After 13 years in the classroom, Lynn took a leap of faith and stepped into administration, eventually becoming vice principal, then head of school at Lial Catholic School in Whitehouse. “It was a huge decision,” she recalls. “But I missed the kids. I wanted to be part of their growth — not just academically, but as people.”
And even now, after her retirement, the connection hasn’t faded. “The proudest moments of my career are when I’m invited back for graduations,” she says. “To watch them grow from little ones to young adults is a gift.”
A new chapter: The birth of Sprout Studios
As retirement approached, Lynn began to wonder: what’s next? The answer came naturally — Sprout Studios, a family-inspired learning space designed to bring Montessori education to life in her own community.
“I knew this was what I was meant to do next,” she said. “When my husband and I toured the building that became Sprout, I just knew it was the right place. We spent months preparing the space, and I couldn’t have done it without my families help.”
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True to its name, Sprout Studios is all about growth. The name reflects both Lynn’s passion for education and her family’s deep ties to local agriculture — her husband is a grower. “It’s about planting seeds and watching them grow, whether in a garden or a child.”
What Sprout Studios offers
Sprout’s isn’t just a school — it’s a community hub for children and their caregivers. From cozy Montessori playgroups for toddlers to creative homeschool enrichment classes, Lynn has designed each program to meet children where they are, fostering independence, curiosity and confidence.
Signature programs include:
- Montessori mama: A playgroup for ages 2–4 and their caregivers (dads welcome!) featuring storytime, yoga and Montessori-inspired exploration.
- Creative flow: A unique blend of yoga and crafting for ages 5–10, weaving in STEM and art concepts.
- Future entrepreneurs camp: For budding business minds ages 7–10.
- Montessori homeschool group: A weekly gathering where children and parents work side-by-side with Montessori learning and community support.
Sprouts also emphasizes inclusion, offering sensory-friendly options and welcoming learners of all abilities.
Rooted in values, growing with purpose
Lynn’s philosophy is simple but powerful: “Every child is perfectly made. As educators, it’s our job to create an environment where they can flourish. And parents — parents know their children best. Sprout gives them a chance to learn alongside their kids.”
More than just academic success, Lynn wants children at Sprout Studios to learn something deeper: community responsibility. “I want these kids to learn how to give back to their community. Whether it’s through service projects or partnerships, that’s an essential part of what we’re building here.”
Looking ahead
As she looks forward to Sprout’s first full fall season, Lynn is excited about the future. “Opening a business is hard. It doesn’t happen overnight. But if you start small and work toward it, you’ll get there. It took me 25 years to get here — and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
With family by her side — her youngest daughter a student, her oldest now a full-time educator and part time teacher at Sprout — Lynn Cherry isn’t just teaching children how to grow. She’s planting deep roots for families to flourish together.
For more information on Sprout Studios, visit www.sprout419.com or follow them on Instagram at @419sprout.
