About Lacordaire
Co-Ed PK-8, All-Girls 9-12
Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, is an independent Dominican Catholic day school offering a challenging, forward-thinking curriculum that integrates academics, athletics, the arts and sciences, and civic engagement. Through diverse courses and programs, students develop critical thinking, leadership, and a strong sense of purpose, graduating as confident individuals ready to contribute thoughtfully to the world.
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Lower School
In Lacordaire’s co-ed Lower School, curiosity flourishes. Through hands-on learning, STEAM programs, and a supportive environment, students develop a strong academic foundation while becoming thoughtful, imaginative, self-reliant, and empathetic learners.
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Middle School
Lacordaire’s co-ed Middle School bridges childhood and young adulthood with dynamic academics and creativity. Through project-based learning, STEAM innovation, and enrichment in the arts and athletics, students grow as independent thinkers and confident leaders.
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Upper School
Our all-girls Upper School empowers young women to think and lead confidently. With small classes, personalized clubs and electives, and opportunities like AP courses, dual-enrollment, honor societies, and international travel, students graduate ready to shape the world with knowledge and purpose.
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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 -
100%
Of Upper School juniorsQualified for induction into at least one National Honor Society, reflecting their dedication to academic excellence across disciplines -
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 $150,000 each in academic scholarships across their college acceptances.
Recent College Acceptances
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Recent News
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Students Attend Annual Preachers Conference
Four Upper School students recently joined young people from four other Dominican high schools in NJ and NY for the annual Preachers Conference.Read More -
Megan Mannato, Head of School, Named to NJAIS Board of Trustees
Head of School Megan Mannato joins the NJAIS Board of Trustees, advancing a shared commitment to excellence and innovation in independent education.Read More -
5th and 6th Grade Students Launch Businesses at TREP$ 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 -
Economist Speaks on How Big Data Can Change the World
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.Read More -
Alumna’s $1 Million Bequest Establishes Strategic Fund at Lacordaire Academy
Lacordaire Academy recently received a $1 million bequest from alumna Caroline “Carrie” Anne Mallon Harris ’67, ’71 and her husband, George Stanley Harris. The couple’s extraordinary generosity will support the Academy’s mission and traditions for generations to come.Read More -
7th Grade Ring Ceremony Celebrates the Theme of Friendship
The 7th Grade Ring Ceremony celebrated the theme of friendship as students received their Lacordaire Middle School class rings and dedicated the ceremony to French teacher Mr. De Toustain, recognizing his support and strong relationships with students.Read More -
Yara Dollari '28 Wins "Poetry Out Loud" Competition
Lacordaire held its school-wide Poetry Out Loud competition on January 16, showcasing students’ performance of historical and contemporary poems. Yara Dollari '28 took first place and will advance to the Essex County regional round.Read More -
Lacordaire Varsity Forensics Team Takes First Place
Lacordaire Academy’s varsity forensics team earned another first place victory at Wednesday's forensics meet, hosted by Essex County Steering Committee for Gifted and Talented Students, with seventh grader Lucy Mikula also recognized for her second place individual finish in the varsity division.Read More -
Lacordaire Joins Peer Schools at Far Brook Diversity Conference
Lacordaire recently joined fourteen peer schools, including St. Peter’s Prep, Oak Knoll, Kent Place, MKA, and Morristown Beard, at the Far Brook School Diversity Conference, Widening the Lens, focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.Read More -
CYO Basketball Tips Off a Winning Winter Season
Lacordaire Academy’s winter basketball season opened on an impressive note this week, with all three CYO teams securing victories in their first games.Read More -
Chiaravalloti Family Honored at Annual Gala
Read MoreLacordaire Academy honored the Chiaravalloti family at the 2025 Gala on November 14, celebrating their long-standing commitment to the Academy. The event raised just over $100,000 toward this year’s $350,000 fundraising goal. -
Lacordaire Hosts Vigil to Stand with Migrants as part of ‘One Church, One Family’ National Campaign
On November 13, the Feast Day of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, Lacordaire welcomed students, families, Sisters of St. Dominic and friends in the community for a peaceful prayer vigil in support of migrants, detainees and asylum seekers. The event took place on Lacordaire’s Upper Montclair campus from 3:30 to 4 pm. It was registered with the “One Church, One Family” campaign, a national movement of U.S. Catholics calling people of faith to publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers and refugees. Lacordaire’s vigil was one of more than 100 across the country as part of this effort.Read More -
Forensics Team Begins Year with Victory
The Lacodaire Academy forensics team had a great start to the year! Six competitors and one alternate joined six other schools at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield for the dramatic reading me. Five of our competitors made it to the final round. Gavin Belicose took first place with his funny and dramatic reading of “Room on a Broom”.Read More -
Key Arts Productions Visits Lacordaire
Read MoreLower and Middle School students enjoyed two interactive performances by Key Arts Productions, who traveled all the way from Philadelphia to share a message of love and unity. Through a vibrant, multimedia program of song, projection, and musical storytelling, three performers engaged students in exploring their diverse origins. -
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin Celebrates First Day of School at Lacordaire Academy
Read MoreLacordaire Academy opened the 2025–2026 school year on September 5 with a historic Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark. Held under a tent on the school’s lawn, the event marked the Academy’s 105th year of educating students in the Catholic Dominican tradition. -
Lacordaire Academy Celebrates 104th Commencement
On June 8, Lacordaire Academy honored the 104th graduating Upper School class in a ceremony celebrating resilience, achievement, and the Academy’s mission to empower young women to lead with integrity and courage. Valedictorian Nasreen Defrank ’25 and Salutatorian Adriana Barnett ’25 reflected on personal growth and gratitude for faculty guidance, while alumna Kaitlin Noyes ’02 delivered the Commencement address, inspiring graduates to lift each other up and embrace the transformative threshold of graduation. Head of School Megan Mannato recognized each student’s unique contributions, as the Class of 2025 prepares to enter colleges across the country.Read More
Upcoming Events
List of 5 events.
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Upper School Common App Camp
Common App Camp will be held for rising seniors Monday, Aug. 17th to Friday, Aug. 21 from 9:00am - 12:00pm -
Upper School Common App Camp
Common App Camp will be held for rising seniors Monday, Aug. 17th to Friday, Aug. 21 from 9:00am - 12:00pm -
Upper School Common App Camp
Common App Camp will be held for rising seniors Monday, Aug. 17th to Friday, Aug. 21 from 9:00am - 12:00pm -
Upper School AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus AB will be held from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on Tuesday, Aug 18th, through Thursday, Aug. 20.
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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