Montclair

Montclair was formed as a township in 1868—its name, from the French mont clair, means “clear mountain.” Though just six square miles, Montclair offers an impressive mix of culture, green space, and convenience. The town is filled with boutique shops, an eclectic assortment of restaurants, top-rated schools, and parks. Residents enjoy excellent public facilities, including baseball and soccer fields, 18 public tennis courts, four skating rinks (two indoor), and three community swimming pools—all with programs and leagues for every age group.

The town’s cultural scene is a major draw. Bloomfield Avenue buzzes with energy from its indie film theaters, live music venues, and popular restaurants. On weekends, you can enjoy brunch on Church Street followed by a visit to the Montclair Art Museum, home to an outstanding collection of American and Native American art. Montclair is also rich in history, with six designated historic districts and over 90 individually landmarked properties. The Upper Montclair neighborhood, located in the northwest part of town, feels like its own charming village, with shops, cafés, and restaurants lining Valley Road and Bellevue Avenue.

Montclair is also home to Montclair State University, one of New Jersey’s largest public universities. The campus sits on the northern edge of town and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.

For commuters to New York City, Montclair offers several convenient options. Midtown Direct trains from multiple stations provide access to Manhattan in about 50 minutes. Bus service also connects the area to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in roughly 40–50 minutes.

Schools

Bradford, The University Magnet, kindergarten through 5th grades.

Bullock, Environmental Science, kindergarten through 5th grades.

Edgemont, Montessori, kindergarten through 5th grades.

Hillside, Gifted and Talented, 3rd through 5th grades.

Nishuane, Gifted and Talented, kindergarten through 2nd grades.

Northeast, Global Studies, kindergarten through 5th grades.

Watchung, Science and Technology, kindergarten through 5th grades.

Glenfield (Visual and Performing Arts), Buzz Aldrin (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) and Renaissance at Rand (Liberal Arts), middle schools, 6th through 8th grades.

Montclair High School, 9th through 12th grades.

Immaculate Conception High School, private Catholic coed school, 9th through 12th grades.

Lacordaire Academy, private Catholic school, coed pre-K through 8th grades, girls, 9th through 12th grades.

Deron School for special education, ages 5-21.

Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA), coed, pre-K through 12th grades.

St. Cassian, private Catholic coed school, pre-K through 8th grades.

Montclair State University