About
Welcome from Head of School
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A Note from Megan Mannato, Head of School
Welcome to Lacordaire! Rooted in the Dominican tradition of prayer, study, service, and community, we are a historic, independent day school offering a dynamic Pre-K through Grade 12 education just 20 miles from New York City.
Our dedicated faculty fosters academic excellence and moral responsibility within a supportive, diverse environment where students pursue intellectual discovery. Learning here reaches far beyond the traditional classroom. Students build lifelong confidence through our unique Pre-K public speaking program, explore the visual and performing arts, and thrive in athletics and extracurriculars.
Our proximity to New York City anchors a globally minded curriculum with extraordinary real-world experiences, ranging from Lower School collaborations with Carnegie Hall to educational visits to the Met and the United Nations. By nurturing character, emotional insight, and interpersonal skills, we ensure every student experiences a genuine sense of belonging.
We invite you to visit Lacordaire to see our vibrant community in action, where passionate teachers and engaged families bring education to life.
We look forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Megan Ogelby Mannato
Head of School
Lacordaire Academy At a Glance
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Academics & Learning
For over 100 years, Lacordaire has delivered exceptional education rooted in the Dominican tradition, preparing students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.- Innovative Programs: Advanced Science Academy with a travel capstone project; rigorous AP courses in the Upper School; Advanced/differentiated learning in the Lower School; United Nations / Ambassadors unit and visit in the Middle School
- Personalized Learning: Core classes with 15–19 students create a nurturing environment with mentorship and individualized support
- Global Perspective: International travel opportunities for all Upper School students
- Language Excellence: All World Language faculty are native speakers
- Proven Success: 100% of Middle and Upper School graduates accepted to at least one of their top three high school or college choices
- Signature Experiences: Mentorship, Travel, Service-Learning, and Public Speaking programs
- Innovative Teaching Methods: Montessori in Pre-K, Process Approach for writing (Grades 1–8), Harkness Method (Grades 5–12)
- Recognition & Affiliations: Middle States Accredited; member of NAIS, NJAIS, National Honor Societies, and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society
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Campus & Technology
Our picturesque three-acre campus blends state-of-the-art facilities with a vibrant learning community, steps from Montclair’s cultural and academic resources.- Smart, Connected Classrooms: Over 20 Smart Boards, Chromebooks, iPads, and iPad minis for Pre-K–12
- Science & Innovation: Three new, state-of-the-art science labs
- Collaborative Tools: Google for Education fully integrated
Our Partners
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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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