Imagine hallways echoing with the footsteps of nearly two thousand students. That’s Montclair High School. Founded in 1886, Montclair High School started small. It quickly grew needing more space for its students. The original school was on Orange Road. Now, Hillside School stands on that site. Montclair High School has a long history.
The current Montclair High School building was built in 1915. It’s located on Chestnut Street. Freshmen attend classes in the George Innes Annex on Park Street. Montclair High School also features an amphitheater. Its athletic facilities include Woodman Field and Furlong Field House on Essex Avenue.
Montclair High School is a comprehensive public high school. It serves students in grades nine through twelve. As the only secondary school in the Montclair Public School District, it plays a central role. The Middle States Association has accredited Montclair High School since 1928.
As of 2023-2024, 1,961 students attended Montclair High School. The school employs 145.6 classroom teachers. This results in a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. About 13.8% of students are eligible for free lunch. Another 2.5% qualify for reduced-cost lunch.
Academically, Montclair High School offers a wide range of programs. The performing arts program includes dance, music, and theater. Visual arts are also a highlight. In Civics, Montclair High School students have excelled. They placed second in the state We the People competition in both 2009 and 2013.
Extracurricular activities thrive at Montclair High School. As of 2021-2022, the school boasted 107 clubs. The Model Congress/Model United Nations Club has won awards. The Fed Challenge Team has also achieved national recognition. Montclair High School even has a FIRST Robotics Competition team.
Montclair High School’s athletic teams are called the Mounties. They compete in the Super Essex Conference. The school has a long-standing football rivalry with Bloomfield High School. Montclair leads the series with 69 wins as of 2017.
In 2008, tragedy struck when football player Ryne Dougherty died. Montclair High School offers many sports. These include rowing, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, ice hockey, and more. The Furlong Field House provides modern facilities for athletes. It has a weight lifting gym and film screening room.
Montclair High School teams have won numerous championships. The baseball team has won multiple sectional titles. The boys’ fencing team has won épée titles. The girls’ fencing team has also excelled in épée. The field hockey team has secured several state sectional titles. The football team has won multiple state sectional championships as well. The hockey team won the overall state championship three times. The boys’ lacrosse team has secured ten state titles. The rowing team has achieved success at state and national levels. The girls’ soccer team won the Group IV state title in 2014.
Montclair High School is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a vibrant hub of learning and achievement. From its humble beginnings to its present-day stature, Montclair High School has shaped countless lives. It continues to be a source of pride for the Montclair community.