At Lacordaire, every student is known personally and given opportunities to succeed. Our independent Dominican day school in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, is ranked among the top 10% of private Catholic schools nationwide. We pair challenging academics and exceptional college preparation with the individual attention that helps students succeed.For families with high standards, Lacordaire is a place where students are challenged to grow, encouraged to take initiative, and prepared to lead.
In Lacordaire’s co-ed Lower School, curiosity drives learning. Through hands-on instruction, STEAM programs, a globally influenced curriculum, and a signature public speaking program, students build a strong academic foundation while becoming thoughtful, confident learners. Teachers challenge students appropriately, while families play an active role in our close-knit community. Learn More
Lacordaire’s co-ed Middle School combines academic rigor with experiences that prepare students for high school. Through STEAM, civics, an award-winning forensics program, and experiential learning, students engage with the wider world through opportunities such as visits to the United Nations and Washington, D.C. Arts, athletics, and leadership opportunities challenge every student to grow. Learn More
Lacordaire’s all-girls Upper School combines academic ambition with highly personalized learning. Small classes, the Advanced Science Academy, AP and dual-enrollment courses, international travel, and an array of academic opportunities challenge students to excel. Through the signature Integritas Institute leadership program, every young woman develops confidence and independence. Learn More
Recent College Acceptances
1/14
List of 8 items.
100%
Lower & Middle School Classes
Perform above state and national averages on the MAP Growth standardized testing in all subject areas
#1
All-Girls Private High School
Ranked the #1 all-girls private high school in Essex County and #6 in New Jersey by Niche.com for excellence in academics and community
Top 10%
Of Catholic Schools Nationwide
Lacordaire ranks in the top 10% of private Catholic schools in the U.S. by Niche.com
15:1
Average student-to-teacher ratio
Ensures every child receives personalized attention, differentiated learning, and the support to thrive
100%
Top College Choice Acceptances
For the past 8 years, every Upper School student has earned acceptance to at least one of their top three college choices.
70%
Middle and Upper School Athletic Participation
Approximately 70% of Middle and Upper School students play at least one sport at Lacordaire.
#1
Best of Essex Private School
Voted Essex County's #1 Private High School by Suburban Essex
$150K
Average College Scholarship Award
Upper School graduates earn an average of $150,000 each in academic scholarships across their college acceptances.
In recognition of the International Day of the Girl, the Working Group on Girls hosted Girls Speak Out, an event at the United Nations celebrating young advocates who are working to advance the rights of women and girls around the world.
Lacordaire Academy is proud to announce that Joelle Walden ’27 has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Approximately 34,000 students nationwide are being recognized as Commended Students for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Lacordaire Academy is proud to congratulate our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Christine James, on her appointment as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark.
TREP$, which takes its name from the word “entrepreneurs,” is an entrepreneurship education program that guides 5th and 6th grade students through the process of creating and running their own businesses. Students move from initial idea to finished product by developing a concept, planning costs and pricing, building a brand, and preparing for a real marketplace. The program challenges them to think strategically and adapt when plans need to change, giving them firsthand experience in what it takes to bring a business to life.
At Lacordaire Academy, public speaking isn’t something students wait to learn. It starts in Pre-K 4. Recently, the Academy brought this early confidence to life with Community Helpers: A Kindergarten Interview and Public Speaking Project.
Can big data help create fair voting districts or evaluate international AIDS programs? Walsh Giarrusso, son of Mrs. Giarrusso, explored these questions with juniors and seniors this week. A 2025 University of Chicago economics graduate and current Master’s student in Computational Analysis and Public Policy, Walsh demonstrated how coding, AI, data visualization, and economic theory inform real-world policy and economic decisions.
Welcoming prospective families to tour campus, meet faculty and students, and discover what makes Lacordaire Upper School an exceptional academic community.
Empowering students to become confident decision makers and responsible leaders in a community of belonging, rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition