Our District Mini-Mounties Locations

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, all in-district Mini-Mounties preschool classrooms will be unified under one location:

Montclair Early Learning Academy

This transition reflects the district’s investment in creating a centralized, high-quality early childhood learning environment for all preschool students. The Montclair Early Learning Academy will bring together our existing in-district programs, previously housed at Developmental Learning Center (DLC), Charles H. Bullock School, Hillside School, and Nishuane Elementary School, into one dedicated early childhood campus.

The Academy will be overseen by Ms. Pérez, Director of Early Childhood Education & Grants, and supported by a dedicated administrative team focused exclusively on preschool education.

Across the Academy, Mini-Mounties classrooms will:

• Utilize the Tools of the Mind curriculum

• Meet ECERS-3 standards for high-quality preschool

• Participate in Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s quality improvement system

All classrooms are supported by a comprehensive early childhood team, including a preschool instructional coach, preschool intervention and referral specialist, community and parent involvement specialist, social worker, and special education consultation teacher. Together, this team partners with teachers and families to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.

Program Hours:

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (anticipated; final schedule to be confirmed)

FAQs

In-District Program Locations for the 2025-2026 school year are as follows:

Our Community Provider Locations

Just like Montclair Public Schools’ K–12 programs, Mini-Mounties offers families choice by partnering with a variety of trusted community-based preschool providers. Each provider offers a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment, giving families options while maintaining a shared commitment to high-quality early learning.

While provider sites may use different curricula, all Mini-Mounties partner sites participate in Grow NJ Kids and meet ECERS-3 standards for quality preschool classrooms. Ms. Perez, the district’s Director of Early Childhood Education & Grants, meets regularly with site directors, and the district provides ongoing professional development and support from our early childhood team. This ensures that children across all Mini-Mounties locations experience the same high standards of care, instruction, and support, no matter which site they attend.