Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision, and in Montclair, the process is as unique as the town itself. The Montclair Public School District features 11 schools, all part of its one-of-a-kind magnet system.
This guide gives you a clear overview of Montclair’s K-12 public schools. Think of it as your go-to resource for navigating enrollment and finding the best fit for your child’s education.
Montclair Public School’s Magnet System
Montclair’s magnet school system, established in 1977 as a voluntary desegregation plan, includes seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and one comprehensive high school. Unlike traditional neighborhood schools, Montclair’s system assigns students based on parental preferences, programmatic needs, and balanced representation defined by demographic data.
Each school follows the same core curriculum while offering specialized programs tailored to different learning styles and interests.
The district provides bus service to and from school for elementary and middle school students who live one mile or further from their school. High school students must live 2.5 miles or further from the high school to be eligible for busing.
Elementary Schools
- Bradford (87 Mt. Hebron Road)
- Magnet: Partnership with Montclair State University (8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
- Overview: Focus on a university-backed academic and social-emotional curriculum. Its mission is to cultivate “confident, curious, and kindhearted citizens capable of asking thoughtful questions, navigating complex challenges, and connecting with the world around them.”
- Charles H. Bullock (55 Washington Street)
- Magnet: Environmental Science (8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
- Overview: Charles H. Bullock School utilizes a child-centered learning environment. The school’s integrated curriculum aims to help “students to recognize that learning is not an isolated incident; rather, it is built upon connected experiences within the classroom and the outside world.” The school seeks to “foster values of personal, social and environmental responsibility.”
- Edgemont Montessori (20 Edgemont Road)
- Magnet – Montessori (8:20 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.)
- Overview: Edgemont is based on the philosophy, educational foundations and instructional practices of Dr. Maria Montessori with student-centered classrooms for children to learn, work and grow.
- Hillside (54 Orange Road)
- Magnet: Gifted and Talented (9:10 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.)
- Overview: Hillside School offers classes for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. This magnet program “presumes ALL children have special gifts and talents” and offers a strong arts program so students of all abilities, interests and backgrounds are able to discover areas in which they will excel.
- Nishuane (32 Cedar Avenue)
- Magnet: Pre-K Gifted and Talented (9:10 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.)
- Overview: Nishuane offers classes for K through 2nd graders. The magent program offers a strong arts curriuclum so children have a strong exposure to the arts.
- Northeast (603 Grove Street)
- Magnet: Global Studies (8:20 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.)
- Overview: The Global education focus at Northeast School aims to create “tomorrow’s citizens, leaders, peacemakers and protectors of our resources.”
- Watchung (14 Garden Street)
- Magnet: STEAM (8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
- Overview: Watchung School integrates its curriculum with the methods of problem-based learning to help students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and curious about how things work.
Middle Schools
- Buzz Aldrin (173 Bellevue Avenue)
- Magnet: STEM (7:50 a.m. to 2:09 p.m.)
Overview: Buzz Aldrin Middle School provides a thorough and vigorous academic education for students with collaborative learning, technological integration and strong parental support are the heart of the school’s success. Students are provided with an opportunity for exploration, using guided and self-directed methods, to ensure skill mastery and a lifelong love of learning.
- Magnet: STEM (7:50 a.m. to 2:09 p.m.)
- Glenfield (25 Maple Avenue)
- Magnet: Visual and Performing Arts (7:50 a.m. to 2:09 p.m.)
- Overview: Community, curriculum, coherence, climate and character are the building blocks at Glenfield Middle School. Students are assigned to one of several houses. Within the house structure, a sense of family is promulgated as people connect to create community.
- Renaissance at Rand (176 N Fullerton Avenue)
- Magnet: Hands-on Community Service (8:20 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Mon-Thurs. and 2:30 p.m. dismissal on Friday)
- Overview: Renaissance at Rand’s mission is to inspire individuals to think critically, responsibly and empathetically. Students and faculty investigate ideas through an interdisciplinary, thematic curriculum. The school features an extended school day four days per week, with Fridays as a day of curricular extension through field research trips, elective classes and community service activities.
School Feeder Pattern
(CHART: MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
- Bradford, Northeast, and Watchung Elementary Schools “feed” into Buzz Aldrin Middle School
- Edgemont and Hillside (3-5) Elementary Schools “feed” into Glenfield Middle School
- Charles H. Bullock Elementary School “feeds” into Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building
Children are automatically enrolled in their designated middle school feeder based on their current school. However, families can request a different middle school by submitting a “School Placement Request Form.” It’s important to note that requests do not guarantee a change in placement.
High School
- Montclair High School (100 Chestnut Street) (8 a.m. to 2:33 p.m.)
- Overview: MHS is a traditional comprehensive high school offering three small learning communities: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), CGI (Civics and Government Institute) and CSJ (Center for Social Justice). The four-year college preparatory program offers Advanced Placement as well as options for honors classes. Additionally, MHS offers dual enrollment opportunities with Kean University, Essex County College, Montclair State University and Seton Hall University.
School Tours and Registration Schedule
Families can tour elementary and middle schools each school year before requesting school placements.
Important 2025 Dates
- January 13-February 6: School Tours (Evening only).
- February 10: Online registration for new students opens.
- March 10: School placement request forms (Mini Mounties-to-Kindergarten and K-8th Grade
Intra-district transfers) are available in Parent Access for students currently attending Montclair
Public Schools only. - April 7: Deadline for submission of school placement request forms (all forms must be
submitted in Parent Access by 11:59 p.m. to be considered). - June 1: Deadline for all new families to register to receive notification by June 30 (K-
8th Grade). - June 16: Notification for school placement requests (K-8th Grade Intra-District Transfers).
- June 30: Notification to parents/guardians regarding Grades K-8 school placements for new
students. (This date is for those families who were registered by June 1 only). - June 30: Deadline for all new families to register to receive notification by July 31, 2025 (K-
8th Grade Only). - July 31: Notification to parents/guardians registering students in grades K-8 AFTER June 1, 2025.
*Placement received after July 1st will be made on a rolling and space-availability basis.
Additional information about 2025–2026 tours and Registration schedule is available here.
- Interim Superintendent of Schools: Damen Cooper
Montclair Board of Education
The Montclair Board of Education comprises nine volunteer members elected by the community. The board oversees the district’s educational policies, budget, and overall direction to ensure the success and well-being of students. See the list of current members and their terms here.
Board Meetings are held in the George Inness Annex at Montclair High School unless noted otherwise. Meetings open in “Public Session” at 6:30 p.m. and immediately go into “Executive Session” until approximately 7:30 p.m., then reopen to the public. Check the Board Calendar for dates and agendas.
