Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) is a co-educational private school for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade located in Montclair in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school was established in 1974 as the result of the merger of three separate schools: Montclair Academy, a boys' school founded in 1887; The Kimberley School, a girls' school founded in 1906; and Brookside, a coed school founded in 1925.Day, Richard W. Merger: The First Two Years, Education Resources Information Center. Accessed June 14, 2011.
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,034 students (plus 31 in PreK) and 171.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 6:1.School data for The Montclair Kimberley Academy, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 1, 2025.
The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1987 and is accredited until January 2025.Montclair Kimberley Academy (The), Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed December 27, 2022.
History Montclair Academy was founded in 1887 by a group of local citizens, as a college preparatory school for boys with an enrollment of 32 boys. In 1891, the school expanded to include a boarding facility and was renamed the Montclair Military Academy, though the name reverted to Montclair Academy after the end of the First World War. By 1925 the enrollment was close to 300 boys. The school was owned and run at that time by Dr. Walter Head."History", Montclair Kimberley Academy. Accessed December 12, 2024.
Kimberley Academy was founded in 1906 as Miss Waring's School and Studio. The enrollment in the first year was 46 students, with 10 teachers led by Mary Kimberley Waring. In 1909, Mary Jordan joined Waring as co-principal, and the school was renamed The Kimberley School. The two women ran the school for profit for more than 30 years, until it incorporated as a nonprofit institution in 1941.
Brookside School was founded in 1925 by a group of local parents, as a progressive, coeducational primary school. Enrollment that first year was 30 students, with six teachers.
During the 1930s, all three schools suffered declines in enrollment, but the schools expanded again in the post-World War II era. In 1950, a group of trustees of Montclair Academy purchased the Brookside School in order to create a co-ed feeder for the academy. The Kimberley School also purchased and renovated the old Montclair Athletic Club. In 1963 Montclair Academy purchased land for a new campus, which today houses the MKA Upper School (grades 9-12), while the old Montclair Athletic Club houses the MKA Middle School (grades 4-8).
In 1968, Montclair Academy and The Kimberley School began to merge, offering cross-registration for classes and shared social events. In 1974, the two schools were combined as Montclair Kimberley Academy.
Principals John MacVicar, first principal of Montclair Academy (1887-?) Mary Kimberley Waring, first principal of Kimberley School (then Miss Waring's School and Studio) (1906-1941) Mary Jordan, co-principal of Kimberley School (1909-1941) Walter Head, owner and headmaster of Montclair Academy (1920s) Richard Ward Day, first principal of MKA (1968-1979) Frances R. O'Connor (1979-1991) Peter R. Greer (1992-2005), headmaster. Thomas W. Nammack (2005- )
Curriculum MKA offers a college prep curriculum featuring Signature Programs in Ethics, Writing, and the MKA Core – works of western and non-western literary, artistic, musical, historical or mathematical significance. Each graduating senior is required to complete May Term. Choices for May Term include internships and travel opportunities in Europe and Asia. French and Spanish are offered from Pre-K onwards; Latin and Chinese in 6th grade. The school has advanced technology, science labs supporting research-based learning, four gymnasiums, a swimming pool, auditoriums, a black box theatre, and the Upper School both a $3 million arts wing and a multimillion-dollar academic and technology wing. There is an interscholastic athletic program, and fields competitive teams in over 25 sports that have won over 100 championships in the past 10 years.Athletics, Montclair Kimberley Academy. Accessed August 12, 2012. Students have access to fine and performing arts opportunities ranging from a tri-campus Strings Program, to mounting a full Shakespeare production in 7th grade, to making movies in the Upper School. Numerous community service opportunities exist at each campus, as well as extensive extracurricular offerings. 100% of students go on to college, with an 87% acceptance rate to one of their first three colleges of choice.
The school is a member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools.List of Member Schools, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools. Accessed August 12, 2017.
Campus MKA has three academic campuses: Brookside (the primary school), the middle school, and the upper school.
Middle School campus The Middle School houses students in grades 4–8. The building was formerly the Kimberley School, prior to the MA–TKS merger in 1974. Educational facilities include a gymnasium, auditorium, and library. Outdoor facilities include a tennis court, playground, and turf field, which houses the Upper School baseball and softball teams, and the Middle School baseball, softball, soccer, and football teams.
Upper School campus The Upper School, formerly Montclair Academy, houses students in grades 9–12. Educational facilities include:
The Johnson Family Academic Center - A library and educational hub, opened in January 2016. It consists of 3 collaborative study rooms, a quiet study, a technology center, an idea lab classroom, and general seating. The center earned a LEED Silver Certification in 2017. A green roof on top of the Johnson Family Academic Center has a garden, composter, weather station, and learning space for students.
Peter R. Greer Arts Center - A arts wing. It houses the Weiss auditorium, art and photography studios, and an orchestral band room.
Deetjen Theatre - A blackbox theatre that hosts the school's fall and spring plays.
Fairleigh S. Dickinson Gymnasium - The Upper School's main gymnasium. Opened in 1968, it consists of a basketball court, weight room, trainer’s room, and a pool.
Inquiry and Innovation Center - A STEM facility completed in 2025. The center contains seven science laboratories, nine math, computer science, and health classrooms, and access to a green roof. The building also houses facilities for robotics, engineering, and research.
Awards and recognition For 2013–15, MKA was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its use of technology in education."Going the Private School Route: Montclair-Kimberley Academy", The Village Green of Maplewood and South Orange, July 14, 2014. Accessed November 20, 2025. "MKA was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2013-2015 and provides a 1:1 laptop learning environment for students, which means each student in grades four – 12 receives a MacBook Air 13″ laptop."
In 2009, Montclair Kimberley Academy was voted Best NJ Private School by parents in Bloomberg Businessweek.Gopal, Prashant."America's Best High Schools: New Jersey, Bloomberg Businessweek, January 15, 2009. Accessed June 14, 2011.
In 2010, the school was designated a Johns Hopkins School of Excellence.
In 2003, Montclair Kimberley Academy was recognized as a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership, one of ten schools selected nationwide.2003 National Schools of Character Winners , Character Education Partnership. Accessed September 25, 2006.
Montclair Kimberley Academy was recognized by the US Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School for 1999–2000, and the Upper School was also recognized as a Blue Ribbon School for 1994–1996.Archived Information: Blue Ribbon Schools 1982-1983 through 1999-2002, United States Department of Education. Accessed October 18, 2020.
Arts Montclair Kimberley Academy has an extensive program for both performing and visual 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. Every other year in the spring, the play is replaced by a film made by students with the help of a professional film crew.
The department oversees the production of an arts newsletter, The Informer, published several times each semester. The Informer covers topics from current productions, to artist spotlights, and artistic opportunities and events in the community.
Each year, students are recognized for their work on stage and in the fine arts. Montclair Kimberley Academy students are frequent recipients of Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. In 2016, two students have won Rising Star Awards from the Paper Mill Playhouse."Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2016 Rising Star Award Winners", Paper Mill Playhouse. Accessed March 21, 2017. "Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role Ross Turkington as 'Cookie McGee' Montclair Kimberley Academy Nice Work If You Can Get It"
Athletics The Montclair Kimberley Academy CougarsMontclair Kimberley Academy, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020. compete in the Super Essex Conference, which is comprised of public and private high schools in Essex County and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed January 10, 2017. Prior to the NJSIAA's 2010 realignment, the school had previously participated in the Colonial Hills Conference which included public and private high schools covering Essex County, Morris County and Somerset County in west Central Jersey.Home Page, Colonial Hills Conference, backed up by the Internet Archive, as of November 19, 2010. Accessed December 15, 2014. With 335 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Non-Public B for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 37 to 366 students in that grade range (equivalent to Group I for public schools).NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020. The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Non-Public Group B (equivalent to Group I/II for public schools) for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 140 to 686 students.NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.