Montclair Cooperative School

This school is truly so special. I was a Montessori kid myself, am still a lifelong learner, and now being a parent to a 2.5 year old who was ready to socialize, I was looking for the right fit for my active, smart little toddler to get her first "class" experience. I toured a bunch of places and the Co-op really ended up being the perfect fit. It's a screen free, nature based, curiosity driven introduction to education, community, and social life. Families are smart, engaged, kind, welcoming, and caring. The staff and teachers are phenomenal. They provide "specials" for the early ages kids (pre-pre K) from Spanish to dance to block building to reading buddies with older kids - and learning about the trips the kids take as they get older... going to the woods frequently, sleepaways at a farm, the 8th grade trip with community service within an indigenous community.. it's no wonder these kids are so smart, sensitive, and thoughtful. The adults are all so engaged and intelligent and welcoming.

Our daughter is in the kindergarten class (she started in Pre-K last year), and it is an incredibly special community of students, teachers, and administrators. The strong focus on community and social and emotional skills is totally unique in the area, and it feels like a true village--the parents and the teachers all support each other and each other's kids. The teachers really take the time to learn and lean into students' unique strengths to help them thrive. Our daughter has started coming home and saying "I LOVE the co-op!" (Not just "I love my class"). Would recommend it to anybody!

Our daughter began her journey in the early ages classroom at 3 years old, and it has been a wonderful experience! We were delighted to discover a comprehensive school setting at this young age. The beautiful, open space and ample outdoor time were essential for us, and we've seen how well-structured the classroom time is. Our daughter has quickly grasped various educational concepts, and we truly value the strong foundation she's building in relationship and community skills and teamwork in cleaning up and showing respect for others alongside her social-emotional development.

We discovered the Coop in 2018 while searching for alternatives for our soon-to-be 4th grader. From the moment I toured the building, I knew it was the right place for us. That 4th grader is now thriving in 10th grade, and our second child is currently in 6th grade at the Coop. The Coop has provided an excellent, child-centered education that addresses not only academics but also emotional and overall well-being. They meet children where they are, fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, individual expression, and a strong sense of community. While the children's needs are the top priority, the Coop also offers a wonderful community for parents and caregivers, involving both staff and administration. It truly takes a village to raise children, and the Coop has been a vital part of ours.

As parents of a young child, we were seeking a school that not only provided a strong academic foundation but also fostered a sense of community and a love of learning. This school's cooperative model truly sets it apart, as parents are actively involved in the educational process. The teachers are incredibly dedicated and passionate about their work and encourage the children's curiosity and creativity. The small class sizes ensure that every student receives personalized attention. Beyond academics, the school places a strong emphasis on social-emotional development. We love the emphasis on play-based learning and outdoor education. We are so grateful to be part of the Montclair Coop School community. It is a truly special place where children are nurtured, inspired, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We have been co-op parents for two years now and we could not be happier. Simply the approach to students and the progressive values instilled a confidence in us that our child will be set up for success. A few highlights to note:- Small class sizes are a huge benefit to learning and being able to engage with teachers- Numerous trips and experiences around Montclair, and elsewhere in the state, allow for the students to have a variety of experiences to incorporate into their learning- Progressive Education is a cornerstone of the Co-op with a diverse set of viewpoints and studies that reflect their Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives We are so happy with the Co-op and our child is flourishing in its environment. We found the perfect place for them!

We are in our second year at The Coop and our family loves it. Our child started in 5th grade and feels challenged academically and supported by the teachers. The campus is smaller than other private schools, but this school is full of heart. We had an experience at a different private school with a larger, flashier campus and had a very bad experience. We chose The Coop after that experience and we are so glad we did!

Our son joined the Coop as a 5th grader last year. We were in search of a differentiated middle school experience to the standard, a large, public middle school in our Bergen County town. We are thrilled to have found the Coop, as our son has not only excelled academically, but has thrived in terms of socioemotional development, creative thinking, and executive functioning skills. The Coop is truly magical, where children, teachers staff, and parents form a community that teaches kids to challenge themselves and nurture their love of learning. The Coop is rigorous when it needs to be, but also meets each kid at their level. The combination of top-tier academics, through a lens of hands-on learning, combined with personal development rooted in being a part of a community- is second to none. We hope you join our Coop Family!

The children in our family have attended the Co-op for many years and are well-rounded individuals with a healthy appreciation for learning who are able to thrive in top-level academic environments. Our kids have graduated from the Co-op and were thoroughly prepared for math, science, humanities, and English classes - they can compete with the very best in the state. They have been able to successfully navigate a much larger student body, engage in school activities and athletics, and make great friends along the way. The Co-op teaches kids to give their best academically (they provide a top-notch education), to fully appreciate the value of community and empathy, and most importantly, to be the very best versions of themselves. We love this school!

Over the last 20 years, the children in our family have attended the Co-op and emerged as well-rounded and intelligent children who thrived at the top five NJ private high schools. Since graduating from the Co-op, our children have thrived academically, socially, and athletically. The Co-op thoroughly prepared them for honors-level math, science, humanities, and English classes. They have each been able to successfully navigate schools with a much larger student body and have made great friends along the way. The Co-op teaches kids how to succeed academically (they can compete with the best of the best), to fully appreciate the value of community and empathy, and most importantly, to be the very best versions of themselves. We love this school and community!

We have been so happy at school. There is great communication with the teachers and they are all very supportive. My daughter is in 2nd grade now and she is excited to go to school every day. The teacher makes learning creative with field trips and multi-sensory projects. The curriculum is strong with art, Spanish, music, and physical education. The kids have lots of outside time and great hands-on learning. There is a wonderful Orton -Gillingham reading specialist that has helped my daughter so much. She is so dedicated and knowledgeable. It is a wonderful place and I would highly recommend the school.

At the Coop, the children get a lot of individualized attention and the community is small and warm. The curriculum is thematic and project-based; very creative and focused on values like community and caring for the earth. My kid just loves going to school every day! She learned to write in PreK and read in K because she's so motivated by the fun teachers and involved projects. They do dramatic play, keep journals, build with blocks, garden, paint, and papier-mache.