Montclair Elementary School

Our son recently finished his first year at Montclair (in first grade) and we are very pleased with this school. The teachers are enthusiastic, caring, and seem to really enjoy their work. Also, there are many opportunities for parent involvement. Activities such as International Night and the Fun Fair help create a sense of community. Our child greatly enjoyed the special learning opportunities available at Montclair- clusters and brown bag lunches. This allowed him to learn more in-depth about topics such as the Olympics. In addition, the diversity (racial and economic) at this school is wonderful. We also appreciate the fact they are an Innovation school which means they have more independence and decision-making capacity than regular public schools. Our child had a bumpy year in kindergarten (at a different school) and a good year at Montclair- we contribute this to Montclair's supportive, caring environment and its focus on the positive. As with most other public schools, critiques can be made (more funding! smaller class sizes!) but overall this is a terrific school with great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Montclair Elementary School from 1954 to 1958. Had it not been for the excellent teachers I may never have discovered both my academic and athletic abilities. Also, I remember the extracurricular activities which were available and so very valuable at that formative age. I still live in the Montclair neighborhood and pass by the school quite often reminding me of those wonderful days of so long ago.

I had an exciting experience with this school. They advanced my two kids into higher levels. They were patient and cooperative. They involve the parents always for the sake of their kids. Overall this school is one of its kind and it is advancing further looking at CSAP results.
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter attends kindergarten - her teacher GiGi Hummel is an excellent teacher. my granddaughter has had 6 teachers before Ms Hummel and thinks she is the best yet.great to hear that for parents and this grandmother.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is in first grade, and this is her second year at Montclair. The teachers are fantastic. Loving and attentive people who are also solid professionals. My daughter has loved all her teachers, and loves her friends and the sense of community. She feels this is 'my school' in every sense of the word. 'Specials,' 'clusters,' and the great DU student teachers.... we love Montclair!
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my children currently attend Montclair. They are both very different people and the school serves their needs. My son has special needs they have met each and every one of them with kindness. I love the Clusters. Read to Achieve, which both my children have been identified as needing, is a daily reading program that help them read. I am a teacher and a parent and I have high standards. I volunteer at the school and see behind the scenes. It's a wonderful staff and community at Montclair. And, the children are truly learning!
—Submitted by a parent

they have done such a turn around from where they were a few years ago. Both my children (now grown,) my husband, his mother and grandmother graduated from this fine school. It deserves all it can get.

My daughter is completing her first year at Montclair. I recently asked her how she felt about the school, and she happily shouted, 'Everything!' I chose this school over a private school because I felt the population more accurately reflected the real world and because I was aligned educational philosophically - that learning should be fun. It has paid off My child has grown so much this year and we all look forward to returning.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children attend this school for nearly three years. I have been so impressed with the level of commitment to quality. The principal is amazing and she is dedicated to hiring only the best teachers. She knows my children well and is truly invested in each child's progress and success. I couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

Montclair Elementary School, Wow.... I have two children attending Montclair. At first I was extremely skeptical, after meeting the teaching staff and some of the parents I am truly impressed ... They really understand about working with children on their strengths to diminish their weaknesses. For that I am truly thankful... Montclair keep doing what you do and being passionate about children truly learning and you will always do well overall...Roni a loving and always concerned parent.
—Submitted by a parent

My son began kindergarten at Montclair Elementary, and is now a 2nd grader there. Throughout these three years, we've been delighted by the quality of his teachers and the responsiveness of the principal to our questions and ideas. Montclair's adaptation of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model allows kids to develop core skills though the study of subjects about which they're most passionate. (For my guy, It's way more fun to learn reading and writing when toothy Megalodon is the topic!) We chose Montclair, our neighborhood school, over a highly respected program that serves gifted & talented students exclusively. It was a scary decision at the time, but WOW -- our son is thriving, both academically and personally. There's a friendly and supportive atmosphere at Montclair that's palpable the moment you enter the school. My son truly regards the place as his second home!
—Submitted by a parent

We choiced into to Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment this school year. We are very pleased with our children's first grade teacher. She is very progressive and thoughtful in her approach as well as very caring. Our principal, Shannon Hagerman has vision and boundless enthusiasm. She knows all students (and parents) by name and even jumps in to teach/cover classes whenever she is needed. Second and fourth quarters, students participate in clusters. Our dedicated teachers facilitate special courses and all students are welcome to participate. Not only do our students learn about an enrichment area, they form a greater sense of community by the multi-grade-level groupings. There is a strong committment on the part of all staff to the students and their progress.
—Submitted by a parent

Montclair Elementary is an excellent school! All efforts for improvement have paid off considerably. We transferred our child from another DPS school based on the glowing reviews we've heard. We were so impressed by the kudos and growing reputation, that we decided upon a tour. Aside from the brilliant leadership, vision,administration and staff, we were sold after spending time in individual classrooms. I would say the most remarkable aspect of Montclair was the respect in which all peoples, all ages, from student to teacher, honored each other. Coupling respect with enthusiasm was something to behold. These students are actually excited about learning and actually excited about their school. What more can we say? We've made a most excellent choice in choosing Montclair Elementary over any other DPS offering. It's a great fit.
—Submitted by Tia Goldschlag, a parent

I love my daughter's school! The newly revamped Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment offers a rich, nurturing, multicultural environment with wonderful teachers and an awesome principal. The school emphasizes music, art and other enrichment areas. The Early High Strides program enables highly motivated students to explore areas of interest in enrichment-based projects. The students' collective sense of community and respect is a happy reflection of the values reiterated daily by teachers and staff. Parental involvement is welcomed and is growing. I was a little nervous about our decision to leave a DPS school rated 'excellent' (per the CSAP scores) to attend our neighborhood school of Montclair. But now I am so glad we did because my daughter can't wait to go to school in the morning, loves her teachers, and is incredibly enthusiatic about learning everything she can!
—Submitted by a parent