The Montclair Kimberley Academy

Good school to place a child if can be afforded. Teachers are well qualified and keep their teaching process interesting and captivating. Very good after-school program with various types of sport activities (swimming, soccer, tennis, etc.) and clubs (Science Club, Music Band, etc.). Parent association is well organized, providing help to the teachers with trips and other engagements and ensuring fundraising support to school.

Comprehensive education with great focus on the individual needs of the students. My daughter attended MKA and I was extremely pleased with her personal and academic growth. You simply can't put a price on how great her experience was.
—Submitted by a parent

I am attending the mka right now and I am enjoying it very much. The teachers here are very talented here and know exactly what they are doing. Not only is it amazing in academics it is probally the most fun I had in school ever. I give it a five star rating, and recommend this school to all.
—Submitted by a student

I attended MKA from pre-K through 12th grade and I was thoroughly impressed with the level of education that I was afforded. I have noticed that I think differently than others my age. I don't feel that I am better just that I may have a wider perspective on the world at large. To be fair and honest I would have to be critical of the school as well. My only contention with this school is that I felt as if I was not exposed to the advanced mechanics of grammar until my freshman year. At that time it appeared to be the focus of the English curriculum in an effort to prepare us for our upcoming encounter with the SATs. Other than this one issue I admire and commend the sacrifice that my parents made to give me the opportunity to attend Montclair Kimberley Academy.
—Submitted by a former student

I have been a lifetime student at MKA, and I cannot express how wonderful the school is. While the schoolwork is hard, teachers are cognizant of extracurricular activities and know that we have to balance both. The teaching is top notch; I have never ever had a bad teacher. They are available when I need help; some teachers even stay to 7 or 8 pm helping kids with work. The curriculum is intense but wonderful; we study things ranging from Beethoven s 9th symphony to Aristotle s Nicomachean Ethics. Parents are heavily involved through the Parents Association of the Montclair Kimberley Academy; they organize the largest book-fair in the US; run our Survival Shop (a food store of sorts); found trips for teachers to every part of the world; and many, many more things. MKA is truly a special place.
—Submitted by Matt Metzger, a student

My sons entered MKA in 6th grade and are now at the upper school. MKA has provided them an environment in which it is cool to be smart, cool to be involved and try new things and cool to be an ethical individual. The teachers, administration, staff and coaches are terrific and continually encourage the best from the kids. The academics are tough, the sports competitive and the time pressures many. The kids thrive. My most recent experience is with the incredible College Placement Office which offers one counselor for every 20 seniors. The results are obvious: Over 85% of the seniors applying for early decision this year were accepted to the college of their choice, including to the most competitive schools in the nation. Best of all, my boys enjoy school and are proud to be a part of MKA.
—Submitted by Alex Nolan, a parent

I have 2 children enrolled at MKA, 11th and 7th grades. We selected MKA five years ago after moving back from a two-year stay in London. The children were in an excellent private school while in England, and we had hoped to equal that standard upon moving back to the states. Guess what? MKA surpassed our expectations across the board. From the faculty to the sports fields, we have been delighted. The children have become organized in their study skills and are proficient writers. The teachers are always their to help. MKA is a fine community of families, administrators and teachers. I would recommend the school to anyone. Gail Connolly
—Submitted by a parent

Why is MKA the 'best school'? It's small enough that my kids know almost everyone a few grades away but our student population represents over 80 NJ communities. My kids' strong college-prep academic education is interwoven with an excellent morals and ethics program. Academics are also balanced with sports. In the winter, my boys can choose from six varsity sports: basketball, fencing, swimming, hockey, indoor track or wrestling- not bad for a high school of about 450 students! (Did I mention that teachers coach most sports so my kids develop additional adult relationships?) Our new arts wing (under construction) will house an expanded offering in music, theater and the arts. Parents are invited to play a huge role in supporting the school as partners in their kids'education. All administrators and faculty are one e-mail or phone call away. My kids will actually tell you that they like their school!
—Submitted by Margo Walter, a parent

MKA has been a wonderful experience for my three children. This is our fourth year, and I've found that the saying 'what's good for the kids is good for the school' is really practiced here. My children are young, and the learning philosphy has been all about the 'buy-in'; getting the kids involved and making it fun, encouraging them to take risks and be problem-solvers. Children at MKA think of themselves as writers from pre-k age. They proudly share their 'writing' with the group from such a young age, they never even learn to be afraid to do so. The ethics program here is very important, and my 5-year blurts things out of nowhere like, 'To have a friend, you have to be a friend'. The children learn at an early age how important and what it is to have strong character. Communication between parents and faculty/administration at MKA is excellent.
—Submitted by Lori Yanes, a parent

MKA is and has been a fantastic school for my 3 children. We have been at MKA for 11 years. The Brookside elementary school was great, and we have had the same experience with the Middle School, this year we have a child in the Upper School. Recently we recieved comments from her teachers. After only spending 3 months with our daughter, her teachers knew her very well and made many insitefull coments. It was wonderful to see that they had taken such an interest. I would suggest MKA to anyone. It is a great school with a wonderful parent and teacher community.
—Submitted by a parent

My son (who graduated in the mid-eighties) was a student at MKA's middle and upper schools where he was encouraged by excellent teachers to be a real learner/thinker/explorer and where he was taught the study skills and strategies which enabled him to be very successful in his later schooling in college and graduate school. He is now very successful in his field, an independent (out-of-the-box) thinker, and a fine human being with good values. The only thing I didn't like was that many of the parent meetings seemed to take place in the day time when some of us had to work, so couldn't participate.
—Submitted by a parent

My son entered MKA in kindergarten and is now in the 6th grade. He had a wonderful experience at Brookside, the Primary School, and continues to thrive at the Middle School. The administration and faculty at MKA are fabulous and work hard to maintain an inspirational learning environment. I would highly recommend the school to anyone. Visit the website www.montclairkimberly.org to learn more about all that MKA has to offer students and their families.
—Submitted by Patricia Connell, a parent

If you want the best for your child send him to MKA. They have the best teachers, the best resources, and an atmosphere which you never want to leave. I attended this school, and can tell you from experiance that you and your child will not regret it.