Our History
Montclair
has a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality early
childhood education for its youngest learners. In 1998, the Montclair
Community Pre-K (MCPK) opened its doors as a nonprofit community school
following the decision to transition the district’s previous public
pre-kindergarten program. Through the dedication of community members,
the Montclair Township Council, and early childhood advocates, a
public-private partnership was established to ensure that preschool opportunities continued to be available for Montclair families.
Since
its founding, MCPK has served as an important early childhood partner
within the Montclair community, providing developmentally appropriate
preschool experiences and supporting families through a commitment to
access, inclusion, and high-quality early learning. The program’s
mission has always been rooted in the belief that every child deserves a
strong foundation for future success, regardless of ability to pay.
In
2022, Montclair Public Schools was awarded a Preschool Expansion Aid
(PEA) grant from the New Jersey Department of Education, beginning a
multi-year process to expand and strengthen the district’s preschool
program. As the program grew, preschool classrooms were added across
four elementary schools while continuing to partner with community-based
preschool providers, creating a mixed-delivery model that increased
access to high-quality early learning opportunities for Montclair
families.
In
August 2026, Montclair reached another exciting milestone with the
opening of the Montclair Early Learning Academy (MELA). The opening of
MELA brings all district-operated preschool classrooms previously
located within elementary schools together in one dedicated early
learning facility, while the district continues its valued partnerships
with community-based preschool providers. This new chapter reflects
Montclair’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional early childhood
experiences through a collaborative, high-quality preschool program that
supports children and families throughout the community.