Montclair Public School District

The Montclair Public School District in New Jersey comprises 11 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school, serving students from diverse backgrounds. The district's schools exhibit a mix of high-performing and average-performing institutions, with some standout schools like Montclair High School, Buzz Aldrin Middle School, and Hillside Elementary School leading the way in academic achievement.

Montclair High School, the district's sole high school, has seen a decline in its state-wide ranking, dropping from 62nd in 2020-2021 to 163rd in 2022-2023, despite its high graduation rate and low dropout rate. In contrast, Buzz Aldrin Middle School has consistently maintained a strong academic performance, ranking 200 out of 748 New Jersey middle schools and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. Hillside Elementary School also stands out, ranking 210 out of 1,342 New Jersey elementary schools and excelling in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.

The district's schools exhibit varying levels of racial and economic diversity, with some schools having a majority white student population and others having a more balanced racial makeup. Additionally, chronic absenteeism rates range from 8.5% at Watchung Elementary to 16.1% at Nishuane Elementary, indicating the need for further investigation into the underlying causes and potential interventions to improve attendance across the district.