Montclair Elementary School in Denver

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	2/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) data from Colorado Department of Education.
Student Growth	3/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student Growth - CO CMAS - Cohort-referenced data from Colorado Department of Education, and using 2025 Student Growth - CO PSAT/SAT - Cohort-referenced data from Colorado Department of Education.

Posted: May 19, 2025

We have one daughter who is attending Montclair and another who will be attending starting next year and our experience so far has been terrific. We've experienced thoughtful teachers, teachers aides, principal, and front staff admins. We love that they have art, performance art, and gym teachers. Our daughter is excelling and being given ample opportunity to be challenged. We appreciate the Social-Emotional development classes the school offers for parents to learn more about effective parenting. It's been a warm welcoming environment. And with the Principal that just started in the 24/25 academic year, I expect things to continue to trend up.

Of challenges or things that could improve, I'd like better school parent engagement (as opposed to teacher engagement, which has been good). There has been some school outreach, but the follow through on getting parents engaged hasn't been strong. We noticed that school communication of upcoming events were sometimes late or contradictory, but that seems to have improved recently. Also, I which the school offered more sports teams, but that's not a major concern.

Ultimately, we've enjoyed it so much that we've recruited some local friends with kids to join our kids over at Montclair.

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: November 13, 2023

It's the best. We are unfortunately move from Denver and I transition my boys to Aurora. The teacher is the best. Montclair School has a safe and inspiring learning environment for children. Appropriate spaces are provided for play and exploration and to enhance social interaction between children. The team of teachers at the school works with high professionalism and love for children. They understand the needs and requirements of young children and use innovative and appropriate educational methods. Montclair School is interested in providing diverse and comprehensive educational programs. These programs may include learning through play, arts, music, sports, and developing children's social and emotional skills.we miss it.

Posted: November 13, 2023

Posted: November 6, 2022

We loved the Montclair neighborhood and our old sturdy brick bungalow but were forced to move out of the district because we were unable to choice out and kept getting stuck with Montclair Elementary school. The old principle, Ryan, has left. He was not engaged and avoided parents concerns.
They removed the "academics & enrichment" title because they ran out of funding after Hickenloopers kids left years ago. Trying hard just to get by at this point. Not actively engaging students in learning.
The direct Montclair neighborhood does NOT reflect the student population of this school. They all choice out or choose private school because this school is so poorly managed. Teachers try their best but are no supported by DPS.

Posted: November 6, 2022

Posted: July 24, 2022

As a former student, I strongly do not recommend this school. I previously attended private education prior to going to Montclair, We were learning concepts for a grade below. My poor teacher struggled with the kids' lack of respect and actions. It's not just kids being kids, they were straight up making offensive jokes about the special ed kids in the building and other disabled kids in general. The lunch ladies were rude and lacked knowledge on how to cook. I'm grateful for their service in working at the school, but they were insanely rude and disrespectful. The school is falling behind severely in academics, no matter how much DPS tries to change this school will stay the same.

Posted: February 3, 2022

We are a happy Montclair family. The teachers have been warm, caring, and effective. The community of diverse families and children also makes Montclair a special place. If youre inclined to pass on a school because of its number/color rating on Great Schools, do a bit of research about why those ratings are narrow and problematic. Montclair is a good school!

Posted: February 3, 2022

Posted: January 29, 2022

We have had our two children at Montclair for the last four years and it has been a wonderful experience.

The teachers differentiate for learning styles and abilities.

The diverse nature of the student body means our children have learned about East Africa, China, India and Mexico without leaving their classroom.

The curriculum is challenging, but not overwhelming. We very much appreciate the focus on character and on being aware of how one's behavior impacts the entire community.

Throughout the entire pandemic, the leadership has been supportive and done a wonderful job communicating.

I highly recommend this school to others.

Posted: October 19, 2020

The best thing this school has going for it are its teachers. Unfortunately I've witnessed many, many of the amazing teachers that have left Montclair to go to other more supportive schools during my children's time there (I've had children there from 2011 through today) The turnover of teachers is a significant issue. If you review their website, many of the awesome teachers listed are no longer there.

Posted: October 19, 2020

The bullying issues at Montclair are so bad that many families have elected to move their children to other schools, even mid-year, to avoid them. The administration isn't teaching nor instilling integrity, compassion, and respect, they are passively promoting the opposite with the lack of any accountability for student behavior. A little girl was literally chocked by another student on the playground, bruising her neck in the process. The principle ultimately said it was a 'he said, she said' incident and zero actions were taken. That girl transferred shortly there after.

The school used to have a very robust program called R.O.A.R. Which stood for Respect, Outstanding Effort, Achievement, and Responsibility. Students would be nominated by teachers and staff as recognition for behavior that supported one of these character growth traits. The program has since been utilized as a carrot for problem students. Students that actually try to excel or behave with exception character are overlooked and these 'rewards' are now handed out to students who happen to not cause a fight or disruption for multiple days. This doesn't teach our children positive character traits, it shows them the recognition is trivial and there isn't a consistent system of accountability.

Posted: October 19, 2020

Prior to the current principle, Montclair was a shining star in the DPS system. You literally had families moving into the neighborhood so their children could attend. It was a institution that challenged each student, held them accountable, and gave them tools to be the best they could be.

Now you have the current principle and the school ranks 3/10 on average compared to other schools and students in the state. Even with their extreme focus on Equity, Montclair has received a 2/10 rating. Let that sink in, for over a decade of this current admin/leadership, the number one thing they focus on...is still ranked a 2/10. This leadership and administration needs to be changed at Montclair.

Posted: October 19, 2020

When one hears 'learning differences' we typically think of lower performing students. However, learning differences encompasses the full spectrum of achievement levels. Students that are under performing, and those that are above grade level, each need to be effectively supported. This administration is 100% focused on under performing students only. All other students that require effective and different learning opportunities are brushed aside and ignored.

Posted: October 19, 2020

The current administration/leadership have and continue to ignore the Montclair bullying issues. Teachers' hands are tied without any clear recourse, plan, or solution to handle problem students and bullies. They have limited or near zero support from the administration. The support structure needed for our teachers, to efficiently and adequately do their job is not provided by the current administration. We've had three children attend Montclair, we had to transfer our son out of Montclair because the bullying was so bad.

Posted: October 19, 2020

The name of the school is "Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment". The ratings on this site show "Test scores at this school fall below the state average. This suggests that most students at this school may not be performing at grade level." So not very good in the 'Academic' department. How about Enrichment? Nope, this 'Innovative' class school follows the default DPS curriculum. Zero innovation, zero enrichment.

This once amazing and innovative school is now a disgrace. The leadership is only focused on a very specific evaluation metric and it has lead to a significant decrease in the quality of this school and it's learning environment. Montclair used to focus on every child, making sure each progressed to their fullest potential. Now the administration only focuses on being as average as they most possibly can. Neglecting the advanced and average students, and focusing on lower performing students only in the hopes the 'achievement gap' will be narrowed.

Many families have transferred out of Montclair either due to their child not getting adequate attention and growth (they weren't challenged...at all) or the rampant bullying which had zero consequences for offending students. Walking the halls you would see students openly arguing with teachers and harassing other students...near zero actions were taken by the administration. I strongly encourage you to volunteer for a Montclair field trip. The experience is mind blowing in how little accountability there is for students and their actions.

Look at the school ratings (average 3/10) now combine that with a narrow focus on making the achievement gap narrow (which they have done by stalling advancement of the upper and average students and bring up lower performing students.) You need a school that challenges each student to be their best, not one that only wants to pad a statistic to keep their jobs.

Do not send your child to Montclair until the current administration has been replaced.

Posted: October 19, 2020

Montclair is an 'Innovative' school but chooses to follow the default DPS curriculum. Which includes their position on homework.

Posted: February 23, 2018

This school is OK and just OK. It does not represent the Historic Montclair neighborhood as much as it represents East Montclair (Quebec east to Yosemite, 11th north to Fax). The school is acceptable for children under 7, but I would not enroll my child over 2nd grade. The enrichment program is a good experience for kids. I like that the school focuses on physical activity, art and performing arts. The administration is kind and caring but has a lot of turn over. Overall, the kids are going to be okay. If you're educated and smart parents, than you're kid will do better but will not get the resources or attention that low-income and special needs kids require. This school focuses on low-income children. I'm concerned that my kind and considerate caucasian child is overlooked because there are children in their class that need adult attention and and other resources not provided at their home.
. The PTA community here is amazing, the other 75% of parents are inconsiderate, uninvolved, entitled and straight up rude. I know that several parents in the school are involved in gang activity. I've witnessed parent smoking pot on school grounds (reported, nothing happened). Parents continually park in no parking zones, over crosswalks and speed around to pick up their children. I have to dodge cars daily at school pickup. I've reported all these incidents several times to the school and the city to no avail. If you can't choice into another Denver school, Montclair isn't the worst place to be.

Posted: January 8, 2018

The focus is on students learning at their own pace and not a rote prescription of homework just for busywork.

Posted: January 8, 2018

Not only are the teachers effective, but they are compassionate and dedicated. They encourage exploration beyond the curriculum and support students individual passions and drive. The grade levels work as teams to keep consistency throughout the classroom and high expectations for all students.

Posted: January 8, 2018

Montclair encourages monthly personal success factors and integrates the concepts into daily work and monthly activities throughout the school.

Posted: January 8, 2018

The leadership team at Montclair is energetic and very focused on success of the students as well as the well-being of the staff. They are innovative and creative and provide a great foundation for the school.

Posted: January 8, 2018

As both a parent of two students who have attended the school since ECE and a part time employee, I highly recommend Montclair.

Posted: December 30, 2017

Teachers here are very caring and make significant attempts to connect with their students and their families through home visits and conferences. We have had some fantastic, inspiring teachers. The only weakness could be discipline in the classroom, but that seems to be only be an issue with a small number of teacher-student dynamics.

Posted: December 30, 2017

This is my number one favorite thing about this school! Having a child that has now moved on to middle school, I feel as though their time at Montclair has built an amazing foundation of life skills- empathy & understanding, ability to see beyond socio-economic standing and race/religion/etc.

Posted: December 30, 2017

The administration has a strong presence at the school and is readily available to families.

Posted: December 30, 2017

I cant personally speak to this, though I am aware of the schools Personalized Learning initiative & grant that they recently started.

Posted: December 30, 2017

I know that this is something that the teachers take very seriously and that there are programs/lessons in the classroom to teach the students about it. I cannot personally speak to how it is dealt with once an instance is reported.

Posted: December 30, 2017

There is very little homework given, which is a philosophy I agree with for young students.

Posted: December 30, 2017

We have had a great experience at Montclair. Its a welcoming community and we have all made lasting friendships here. If weve ever been concerned with something academically, the teachers or admin have been responsive and open to communication about the issue.

Posted: November 14, 2017

Haven't encountered any bullying at the school, so my review is neutral.

Posted: November 14, 2017

I love that my kindergartener has all week to complete her homework packet - she often has it completed within the first or second day because she has so much fun coloring, writing, and counting. And without the pressure of getting it done that very night, she can have a good time with it.

Posted: November 14, 2017

Or teacher communicated very clearly through the Class Dojo app, and even sends us weekly videos to help explain what homework is coming up, what they kids will be learning that week, and what their successes are throughout the day. I can't believe how quickly my daughter is learning to read!

Posted: November 14, 2017

The teachers and staff seem happy, and whenever I'm at the school for a function, the principal and other staff are very open and easy to talk to.

Posted: November 14, 2017

I just don't have any knowledge in this area, which is why I'm neutral.

Posted: November 14, 2017

We choiced into this school after our neighborhood school on the other side of Colfax was so disappointing. I absolutely love it! I think the economic and cultural diversity at this school is a huge benefit. My daughter makes friends easily, loves her teachers, and is learning so much without feeling an intense "pressure" to learn - it seems to come naturally when she gets home and tells us about her day. I highly recommend this school!

Posted: November 8, 2017

I cannot speak more highly about our 10 years at Montclair. My 9th grade daughter is excelling and we have the foundation provided by Montclair to thank for that. She appreciates diversity in a manner that we could not have taught in the home. We have had strong teachers for both of our students every year. The school's commitment to enrichment including signature grade-level field trips as well as rotations of art, music and PE have been irreplaceable.

Posted: May 6, 2017

We are happily in our 7th year at Montclair. I can echo all of the other comments here. What I can add: in a school this diverse, there are naturally culture-related challenges. It's easy enough to say, "that's just how it is," but not at our school. Our administration and faculty constantly ask themselves 'how can we do better when it comes to equity?' There's a long way to go when it comes to equity in the curriculum (DPS and other districts). What I value is that our teachers and administrators are open to critical voices. They are creative in their approaches. This takes time but they are doing the work. Our staff is a group of rockstars. Heart, intelligence, passion, patience, humor. This school has helped shape the people my kids are becoming. Separately, my honors 7th grade student was better prepared than many of his friends new friends when they started middle school.

Posted: January 27, 2017

Very thoughtful in developing culture! I especially appreciate the Culture and Equity Coach!

Posted: January 27, 2017

Wonderfully prepared teachers, who really care about their students!

Posted: January 27, 2017

I have had children in Montclair for 7 years now, and I will be the first to admit there have been ups and downs. This being said, under the current administration, the school has stabilized and grown to become a truly great school. Some parents may have been cliquish in the past, but have really come together for the community and students. I cannot say enough about the global thoughtfulness, enrichment, and academics at the school!

Posted: January 17, 2017

Sadly could not get my kids out fast enough. Heard so many great things but once we were there, it was another story. Overcrowded, kids with so many needs not met. Under-qualified staff sealed the deal. many of us left last year. Feel awful for the kids who need a good school and have no where else to go. Only reason for 2 stars is the parent community. Nice but divided byrich/poor.

Posted: December 8, 2015

We have been at the school since our oldest (now a fourth grader) was in kinder. We choiced in from a nearby neighborhood and have been very happy with all that Montclair has offered our two daughters. The teachers are phenomenal and are committed to making sure that every child gets the best possible education. I've seen many of them go above and beyond in their dedication to their students. We also appreciate the diversity (over 20 different languages spoken and a very broad socioeconomic mixture), the fact that we offer all three specials (gym, music and art), and that we are an innovation school. Also, a big draw for us was the unique enrichment model at the school - our students experience many more field trips than the average school, have many in-school experiences, and can explore topics more in depth through a program called Explorations. Overall, it is a wonderful community!

Posted: December 8, 2015

Posted: July 31, 2012

Our son recently finished his first year at Montclair (in first grade) and we are very pleased with this school. The teachers are enthusiastic, caring, and seem to really enjoy their work. Also, there are many opportunities for parent involvement. Activities such as International Night and the Fun Fair help create a sense of community. Our child greatly enjoyed the special learning opportunities available at Montclair- clusters and brown bag lunches. This allowed him to learn more in-depth about topics such as the Olympics. In addition, the diversity (racial and economic) at this school is wonderful. We also appreciate the fact they are an Innovation school which means they have more independence and decision-making capacity than regular public schools. Our child had a bumpy year in kindergarten (at a different school) and a good year at Montclair- we contribute this to Montclair's supportive, caring environment and its focus on the positive. As with most other public schools, critiques can be made (more funding! smaller class sizes!) but overall this is a terrific school with great teachers.

Posted: January 27, 2012

I attended Montclair Elementary School from 1954 to 1958. Had it not been for the excellent teachers I may never have discovered both my academic and athletic abilities. Also, I remember the extracurricular activities which were available and so very valuable at that formative age. I still live in the Montclair neighborhood and pass by the school quite often reminding me of those wonderful days of so long ago.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Cherry Creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Denver	CO	2.5 mi
2	Sterling Hills West	Area of Town	Aurora	CO	8.7 mi
3	Forest Lakes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Monument	CO	46.3 mi
4	Flying Horse	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Colorado Springs	CO	49.8 mi

#	Name	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Loveland	Loveland	CO		46.6 mi
2	North Gate Blvd	Colorado Springs	CO		49 mi

Montclair Elementary School

Denver, CO 80220

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Montclair Elementary School

Denver, CO 80220

School Ratings

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