Montclair Kimberley Academy: An Overview of Tuition, Programs, and Community

Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school serving students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. With a commitment to knowledge, vision, and integrity, MKA aims to cultivate a love of learning, develop independent learners, and establish a foundation of academic excellence.

A Transformative Educational Experience

MKA fosters dynamic and engaging, student-centered learning where students experience school as a place of wonder, challenge, exploration, and creation. Through interdisciplinary inquiry, real-world application, and innovative teaching, the school prepares students to think critically, lead ethically, and navigate the world with confidence and purpose. These experiences are integral to MKA’s outstanding academic and intellectual outcomes.

What Sets MKA Apart?

MKA's program is distinguished by:

Student-Centered Learning: MKA fosters dynamic and engaging, student-centered learning.
Interdisciplinary Inquiry: The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary inquiry, connecting different subjects to promote deeper understanding.
Real-World Application: Students apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios, making learning relevant and meaningful.
Innovative Teaching: MKA employs innovative teaching methods to engage students and promote critical thinking.
Signature Programs: MKA offers Signature Programs in Ethics, Writing, and the MKA Core - works of western and non-western literary, artistic, musical, historical or mathematical significance.
Technology-Enriched Curriculum: MKA provides a highly personal, technology-enriched curriculum.
Small Class Sizes: Small classes are a hallmark of the MKA experience, and individual attention is guaranteed from a skilled and passionate faculty who are at the heart of the school's success.

Campuses and Divisions

MKA has three campuses in Montclair, New Jersey, each catering to a specific age group:

Primary School (Brookside Campus): Serves students in Pre-K through Grade 3, providing a nurturing and creative environment with specialist teachers in various subjects.
Middle School (Kimberley Campus): Houses students in Grades 4-8, balancing support and challenge as students grow personally and academically. The building was formerly the Kimberley School, prior to the MA-TKS merger in 1974. Educational facilities include a gymnasium, auditorium, and library.
Upper School (Montclair Academy Campus): Caters to students in Grades 9-12, offering numerous opportunities in the arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities to enhance rigorous academics and college preparation. The Johnson Family Academic Center, Peter R. Greer Arts Center, Fairleigh S. Dickinson Gymnasium, and Inquiry and Innovation Center are located here.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition Costs

As of recent data, the yearly tuition at Montclair Kimberley Academy is $40,000. However, it's important to note that this figure may vary. The school's annual cost of operating MKA is over $50 million, but tuition revenue only supplies 92 percent of that budget.

Financial Assistance

MKA offers need-based financial assistance to eligible families with students in the Middle and Upper School divisions (Grades 6-12). Financial aid is not currently available for Jr-K to Grade 3. The Financial Aid Committee utilizes Clarity, an independent third-party service, to determine financial need. This assessment examines various financial factors including total household income (both taxable and non-taxable), assets, debts, household size, and the number of children attending tuition-based educational institutions.

Community Scholarship Program

MKA’s Community Scholars Program covers the full tuition and all additional costs including, but not limited to, books, lunch, transportation, and athletic equipment. The school welcomes students entering grades 6-11 to apply for the Community Scholarship. In selecting Community Scholars, the school’s priority is to offer need-based awards to students who represent a racial or ethnic minority and embrace the values upheld by the MKA community. Families must demonstrate a full financial need in order to be considered.

Additional Expenses

Besides tuition, families should budget for additional expenses such as:

Books and Supplies: Costs vary by campus. At the Primary School, annual expenses are typically $25-$175. Middle School books and supplies, such as PE uniforms, customarily cost $200-$300. Upper School students purchase their texts each year; book bills are usually $600-$800.
Lunch: MKA offers an optional lunch program for students in all grades. At the Primary School, parents can subscribe to the lunch program for the school year. A morning snack is provided by the school. At the MIddle and Upper School campuses, lunches can be purchased daily à la carte.
Transportation: MKA provides door-to-door van service for fees that vary based on one-way or round-trip transportation. MKA also provides centralized shuttle buses from Short Hills, Maplewood, Livingston, and Ridgewood for a fee.

Academic Programs

MKA offers a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum that includes:

Core Curriculum: A strong foundation in traditional subjects.
Signature Programs: Unique programs in Ethics, Writing, and the MKA Core.
Technology Integration: A 1:1 learning environment with personal MacBooks in grades 4-12.
Global Programs: A wide range of domestic and international travel opportunities for Middle and Upper School students.
May Term: Each graduating senior is required to complete May Term. Choices for May Term include internships and travel opportunities in Europe and Asia.
World Languages: French and Spanish are offered from Pre-K onwards; Latin and Chinese in 6th grade.

Summer Programs

MKA offers a summer program that provides age-appropriate, academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular challenges that make learning meaningful and forward-thinking. The summer program includes:

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STEM + Explorers Program: Grouping rising 6th & 7th grade, and rising 8th & 9th grade students together in their core courses.
Summer Enrichment: Classes are mixed- grade levels, but will focus on younger or older grades depending on course content.

Arts and Athletics

MKA has an extensive program for both performing and visual arts, with numerous opportunities for students to participate in plays, musicals, and art showcases. The school also has a strong interscholastic athletic program, fielding competitive teams in over 25 sports that have won numerous championships.

Arts

The Fine and Performing Arts department is run by Nicole Hoppe. The school puts on four productions each academic year, including one large-scale musical. On average, up to a quarter of the student body participates in the musical in some capacity. The school additionally puts on an arts showcase in September, and one to two plays each year, in the fall and in the spring. The department oversees the production of an arts newsletter, The Informer, published several times each semester. Each year, students are recognized for their work on stage and in the fine arts.

Athletics

MKA offers 21 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Winter Track.

Community and Culture

MKA is more than just a school; it's a community made stronger by families, faculty, and staff who are committed to the school's mission and values. The school emphasizes ethical leadership, responsible citizenship, and a strong sense of community.

Diversity and Inclusion

MKA welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds, including different family types and cultures. The Admissions Committee values academic fit and fine character and looks carefully for evidence of these in each applicant.

Giving Back

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in supporting MKA's mission and ensuring that the school can provide an exceptional education to all students. Gifts to MKA help the school make choices rather than compromises, supporting exceptional faculty, innovative programs, financial assistance, and an inclusive community.

Notable Alumni

MKA has produced many accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including:

Tom Galligan: Lawyer, legal scholar, administrator and educator who is currently the dean and professor of law of Louisiana State University's Paul M.
Michael J. Pollard: Actor best known for playing the character C. W.

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