Hillside School

Academics

• An award-winning magnet system with elementary and middle schools identified by the themes global studies, science & technology, creating connections, Montessori, university, STEM, environmental science, and gifted & talented

• Academically challenging high school with a diverse curriculum, more than 25 AP classes, small learning communities (the Civics and Government Institute, Center for Social Justice and STEM); and visual art and performance options in the School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA)

• Nearly ninety percent of graduates matriculate at post-secondary institutions of higher learning, including Ivy League universities and dozens at highly competitive schools

• Multiple world language offerings, including Spanish, French and Mandarin (K-12), as well as German, Italian, Latin (high school); Montclair High School language students typically earn top honors in competitions and on national exams

• Sixty percent of the district’s instructional staff hold advanced degrees in teaching and/or their subject area

• STEM education offered in all schools including the use of 3D printers

Extracurricular

• MHS offers more than 100 clubs, including community service, salsa dancing, bridge, Ultimate Frisbee, robotics, and literary magazine.

• SVPA stages three productions per year, including Showcase, a student-run production, and the spring musical (e.g. “In the Heights,” 2014)

• Euro Challenge, Fed Challenge, Model UN, and Model Congress teams typically achieve top finishes in national competitions
• Mock Trial team consistently competes at regional, state, and national levels
• Math League team ranked in the top 20 of New Jersey high schools; in 2015 team had best season, finishing first in the State

Athletics

• The district supports more than 30 varsity sports. In 2017 men’s and women’s crew became the first public school teams to win Garden State Scholastic Championship varsity titles

• In 2015-16, athletes earned State-level titles in Field Hockey, Girls’ Soccer, Fencing, and Swimming; County Titles in Girls’ Soccer, Cross Country, Golf; and conference/division titles in Cross Country, Girls’ Soccer, Bowling (girls), and Ice Hockey. Additionally, several coaches were awarded coach of the year honors at the conference and county levels. Typically a dozen or more athletes are recruited annually to Division 1 and 3 colleges and universities

District

• Glenfield, Hillside and Montclair High School named Model Schools for the Arts by the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership

• Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), the district’s local education fund, annually awards over $200 thousand to the Montclair Public Schools through: teacher-initiated classroom grants, social and emotional learning projects, professional development experiences, and district-wide initiatives. Recent innovative projects include non-traditional seating options and focus tools to improve student learning in the elementary schools, hands-on science equipment for all three middle schools, and a state-of-the-art Media Center at MHS

• NJ Monthly ranks MHS in the top 100 of public high schools. Newsweek recognition as one of the top 1,000 schools in the nation. US Department of Education distinction as one of six exemplary magnet school programs in the nation

• Charles H. Bullock and Edgemont Schools recognized for achieving the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification