Montclair Cooperative School

Middle school is… a moment. 😊

Between big ideas, growing independence, and the occasional social swirl, it helps to have a place where your child can just be themselves, without getting lost in the noise.

In 5th and 6th grade at the Co-op, small isn’t limiting. It’s grounding. Students are known, not just by name, but for their ideas, their quirks, their questions. They are seen. Heard. Valued.

There’s space here to dive deep into learning, to get curious, to wrestle with big questions, and to build confidence that comes from truly understanding something, not just skimming the surface.

And maybe most importantly, it’s a place where grown ups understand that finding your voice matters more than anything else.

Because at this age, being known can make all the difference.✨

✨ Looking back at the end of a wonderful year in our Early Ages classroom ✨

What a year of growing, discovering, and learning alongside one another! Through play, exploration, conversation, and collaboration, Co-op children have built an incredible foundation of knowledge and skills.

They’ve developed early literacy skills through stories, songs, letters, sounds, and writing. They have explored foundational math concepts through counting, sorting, patterns, shapes, numbers, and problem-solving. 🤗

Most importantly, they’ve learned how to learn together. They’ve practiced sharing ideas, working through challenges, communicating with one another, asking questions, and collaborating through play.

We can’t wait to see what next year brings for these friends!

At the Co-op, performing arts are woven into the everyday experience of learning. From the original skits and shadow puppet plays our Pre-K students create, to improv in 1st and 2nd grade, to the cherished annual 7th and 8th grade production, every child has the opportunity to imagine, perform, and collaborate.

Why does that matter? Because the skills developed through the arts—confidence, communication, creative thinking, empathy, collaboration, and resilience—extend far beyond the stage. They’re the very skills children need to thrive in school and in life.

That’s why we’re proud to sponsor Montclair Theater Festival. Supporting the arts doesn’t stop at our classroom doors—we’re committed to helping cultivate a vibrant creative community for all children.

We hope to see you Saturday in Brookdale Park. Come by and say hello!

What is the work of childhood?

It’s not learning to swipe.
It’s not just learning to follow directions.

It’s learning to wonder.
To question.
To create.
To collaborate.
To care deeply.

At Montclair Cooperative School, we take children seriously. We believe their ideas matter. We encourage healthy debate, thoughtful disagreement, and an appreciation that there is often more than one way to solve a problem.

Through hands-on learning and meaningful relationships, children become curious thinkers, compassionate community members, and confident problem-solvers—prepared not just for school, but for life.

Because the work of childhood is learning how to think, not what to think.

📧 Email to learn more
Rolling admissions- Early Ages to 8th Grade
[email protected]

We have some really beautiful books going into our little library! Have you stopped by yet?

📚 65 Chestnut Street 📍

Kids should love going to school. Yes—even in middle school.

And here, they do. See why families choose Montclair Cooperative School.

Rolling admissions are open. Contact us today to learn more!

www.montclaircoop.org | [email protected]

One of our favorite recipes from the Co-op cookbook is... play dough! 💛

It is so easy (and so much fun!) to make. Better yet, it’s a wonderful way to get your little ones involved in the kitchen. Cooking together naturally reinforces early math skills through measuring, counting, and following steps.

At the Co-op, we still make our own play dough from scratch! Our children in Early Ages through Kindergarten enjoy fresh batches for sensory exploration, imaginative play, and building fine motor skills. We even use it as part our Orton-Gillingham program for hands-on literacy learning.

We hope you’ll give it a try at home! It’s simple, fun, and sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
3 tbsp. canola oil
3 cups water
1½ cups salt
6 tsp. cream of tartar
Food coloring

🥣 Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.

Remove from heat when thickened.

👩‍🍳 Continue stirring until the dough forms.

💪 Turn onto a floured surface and knead.

🤗Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

✨ We’re Hiring! ✨

The Montclair Cooperative School is looking for our next Business Manager, and we’re searching for someone who wants more than just a job.

At the Co-op you’ll find a warm, welcoming community that feels like home. This is a place where relationships matter, your work has real purpose, and you’ll be seen, valued, and appreciated.

If you’re passionate about making a difference behind the scenes so a vibrant school community can thrive, we’d love to meet you.

Read the full job description and instructions on how to apply on our website.

https://montclaircoop.org/contact/careers/