Montclair Cooperative School

We love Hillside for its diversity, opportunities, and fantastic staff!

We really wanted to love this school. It has a strong reputation and some wonderful teachers. But our family’s experience was disappointing and, at times, concerning.There was a ton of leadership turnover, and it really affected the day-to-day environment. Policies and expectations felt inconsistent, and communication often seemed reactive rather than clear and steady. We were aware of serious situations involving student safety that were barely addressed from a parent perspective, and we rarely felt like we understood what was happening behind the scenes or who was accountable.We also frequently witnessed behavior issues that didn’t seem to be addressed in ways that made the problems stop. Some kids appeared physically out of control in a way that sometimes resulted in injuries. Teachers tried their best but it seemed they spent large portions of their time trying to manage behavior instead of being able to teach.Bullying was also a real concern for us. The school seemed more focused on moving forward than on clear communication or problem-solving. When kids or parents don’t know what happened or what’s being done to help, it’s hard to feel confident that things will improve.Academically, the approach felt just as unclear. Students were given “assessments,” but answers weren’t marked correct or incorrect — so nothing was actually measured, and we were never given a clear picture of student progress. It often felt like the school used the language of assessment without providing meaningful information. For us, that felt emblematic of a broader issue: good intentions, but not enough structure or clarity to support real learning and growth.Some children do very well here, and I want to acknowledge that. But many families we spoke with shared concerns similar to ours, so I don’t think our experience was unique.If you are considering the school, I’d suggest asking very specific questions:• Who is accountable when issues arise?• How is academic progress actually measured and communicated?• How is bullying handled, whether your child is the bully or the one being bullied?• What happens when a child is hurt or in distress?• How does the school ensure harmful behavior doesn’t repeat?We truly wish our experience had matched the school’s reputation.