Montclair Cooperative School

The Co-op is an amazing place, a genuine community of learners. The teachers are beautiful role models and they care deeply about each child. Community service is a given and students are encouraged to connect across the grades. Progressive education is a global education. No rote learning here, critical thinking, creativity and cooperation through project based investigations. The expectations are very high for children to be independent and responsible, in many ways it has more "real life" rigor than any prep school. Everywhere we go my children stand out as capable and confident, they are socially fearless, believing that they have something to offer or gain in every situation. I am so glad we found the Co-op!
--Submitted by a parent

MCS (the Coop) is a wonderful little school. The teachers could not be more dedicated to providing kids with the best thematic learning experiences. Our child went from being a kid who HATED school, until we were lucky enough to find the Coop. He is now entering the sixth grade and he has never asked to skip school since entering the school in the middle of second grade. His test scores are great but most importantly he wants to be there.
--Submitted by a parent

The Co-Op is the most wondeful GIFT you could ever present your child. The gift of expanded thought processes, exploration of their very own environment, encouragement of individual expression -- These gifts allowed my two children to become strong minded young adults. They face the same challenges as other teenages after leaving The Mtc Co-op yet with a sense of self confidence and respect for others. I'm proud to have sacrificed a few of life's luxuries to have given this experience to my children.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is great for families who have children with learning disabilities and/or social emotional issues. No labels, just a warm caring environment. Th
--Submitted by a parent

This school offers a warm, magical environment in which children learn to be creative, critical thinkers. The new 7th/8th grade is working out quite well. It's academically demanding but the kids are truly engaged and excited about learning. And - here's the best part - these are middle-schoolers in an emotionally safe (but not unrealistically so) environment. The school is not perfect - especially because it is a true co-op and parents are so involved that political issues pop up at times. However, those problems exist everywhere and at the Co-op they are offset by the fact that, overall, it is a warm, supportive, very special community. Sending our daughter to the Co-op has been one of the greatest gifts we could ever give her.
--Submitted by a parent