The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment
Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment serves students from preschool through fifth grade in a neighborhood of the same name in Denver. It operates as a regular public school within Denver Public Schools, a district that has seen several recent shifts that affect its schools. Voters approved a record bond measure in 2024 for facilities and safety upgrades across the district, and the district has adopted a new literacy curriculum for elementary grades and a unified enrollment system for school choice. A mill levy override in 2022 boosted teacher pay and mental health services. These district-level changes are the backdrop for any family considering Montclair.
The school has a diverse student body. Its enrollment draws from a range of backgrounds, with the two largest groups being Black students and Hispanic students, each making up a substantial portion of the school community. White students and students who identify as two or more races also attend in meaningful numbers. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available materials, a gap a parent may wish to follow up on with the school directly.
On state assessments, Montclair’s results fall in a range that families should examine closely. Proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science were all below the midpoint when compared with other schools in Denver County. In math and reading, the share of students scoring at a proficient or advanced level was modest, and science results were similarly low. These numbers place the school in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency among its Denver County peers. Given that the tested grades cover the school’s upper elementary students, these results describe the academic performance of a core group of its enrollment.
The school’s name includes “Academics and Enrichment,” but the available data did not include details on specific program offerings, such as gifted programs, arts, or extracurriculars. The school’s website or a direct inquiry would be the best way to learn about any enrichment opportunities the name implies.
The Montclair neighborhood sits within the larger city of Denver, a major urban center that serves as the commercial and transportation hub for the region. The city has a diversified economy with strong employment in telecommunications, aerospace, health care, and financial services, and it hosts the headquarters of several Fortune firms. The local housing market reflects Denver’s high demand and cost of living. Home values in the area are well above national benchmarks, though they have dipped recently in year-over-year comparisons. Rents are also high relative to the national median, and the estimated cost of owning versus renting tilts toward renting as the cheaper monthly option. For a family weighing a move to the attendance zone, the affordability of the neighborhood is a key factor.
The school environment is shaped by its urban Denver setting. The city has an extensive park system, a dense downtown core with cultural institutions, and a network of bicycle paths. The neighborhood of Montclair itself is an established residential area. For a family considering this school, the peer environment is diverse and economically mixed, the academic proficiency data from state tests is low relative to other Denver County schools, and the district context includes recent investments in literacy instruction and facilities. A parent will likely want to understand how the school’s enrichment programming and academic supports are structured to serve its student population.
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