About Lacordaire
Co-Ed PK-8, All-Girls 9-12
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.
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Lower School
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.
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Middle School
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.
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Upper School
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.
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Recent College Acceptances
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List of 8 items.
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100%
Lower & Middle School ClassesPerform above state and national averages on the MAP Growth standardized testing in all subject areas -
#1
All-Girls Private High SchoolRanked 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 NationwideLacordaire ranks in the top 10% of private Catholic schools in the U.S. by Niche.com -
15:1
Average student-to-teacher ratioEnsures every child receives personalized attention, differentiated learning, and the support to thrive -
100%
Top College Choice AcceptancesFor 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 ParticipationApproximately 70% of Middle and Upper School students play at least one sport at Lacordaire. -
#1
Best of Essex Private SchoolVoted Essex County's #1 Private High School by Suburban Essex -
$150K
Average College Scholarship AwardUpper School graduates earn an average of $150,000 each in academic scholarships across their college acceptances.
Recent News
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Middle School Students Explore the Global Importance of Sanitation
Where does our waste actually go? How do the underlying systems of public infrastructure around the world support, or fail to support, human health and dignity? This week, our Middle School students explored these questions with sanitation expert Mr. Paynter, discussing a topic most of us would normally avoid: poop, and the global reality of what happens when communities lack access to basic sanitation.Read More -
Students Attend U.N. Meeting for International Day of the Girl
Read MoreIn 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. -
Joelle Walden ’27 Named National Merit Commended Student
Read MoreLacordaire 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). -
Cardinal Tobin Appoints Lacordaire's Board Chair, Christine James, OPA' 83,' 87, as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark
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.Read More -
Students Attend Annual Preachers Conference
Four Upper School students recently joined young people from four other Dominican high schools in NJ and NY for the annual Preachers Conference.Read More -
Megan Mannato, Head of School, Named to NJAIS Board of Trustees
Head of School Megan Mannato joins the NJAIS Board of Trustees, advancing a shared commitment to excellence and innovation in independent education.Read More -
5th and 6th Grade Students Launch Businesses at TREP$ Marketplace
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.Read More -
Lacordaire Academy Kindergarteners Bring Local Community Workers 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.Read More
Upcoming Events
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Day 4
Cycle Day 4 -
Pumpkin Patch Field Trip - Alstead Farms, Chester, NJ
Field trip is for PreK and Kindergarten -
Rain Date - Middle School Picture Day
This date will service as a rain date in the event weather cancels the original picture day.Location: Front of James Hall -
Water Walk for Mr. Paynter's 6th grade class
We're reading A Long Walk to Water, a true story about a Sudanese "Lost Boy" and the water NGO he started. To better understand about the global water crisis, and the challenges children around the world have to simply get water to drink, the students will carry a traditional, 20-liter (5 gallon) water jug about 10 meters out in the recess area. This is heavy! About 40 lbs. -
Halloween Homeroom Door Decorating
Parents volunteer to decorate their child’s classroom door. Make it cute, spooky, or even funny. Get creative! Ms. Mannato and Ms. Bilicska will judge and the winning homeroom gets a pizza party.
Our Mission
Empowering students to become confident decision makers and responsible leaders in a community of belonging, rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition
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