Photo: Westpacificmovement · CC BY-SA 4.0Montclair’s public schools outscore 53% of California districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Montclair, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 27% of Montclair’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Montclair’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 540 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Montclair’s, its schools beat 58%, higher than their 53% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 27% across both districts in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Chaffey Joint Union High spends $18,582 per student and Ontario-Montclair $24,222, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
International Montessori School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Montclair’s grade
B−: better than 53% of California school districts, #458 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Montclair, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Montclair · depends on your address
Serrano Middle
Grades 7–8 · 657 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Vernon Middle
Grades 7–8 · 580 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Montclair · depends on your address
Serrano Middle
Grades 7–8 · 657 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Vernon Middle
Grades 7–8 · 580 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Montclair
Montclair High
Grades 9–12 · 2,515 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Montclair
Montclair High
Grades 9–12 · 2,515 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Montclair
Montclair High
Grades 9–12 · 2,515 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Montclair
Montclair High
Grades 9–12 · 2,515 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Montclair runs its own schools through grade 8 (Ontario-Montclair School District). From grade 9, students attend the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, shared with Chino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Montclair
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Montclair vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Montclair’s borders.
Every school in Montclair
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Montclair’s schools
Are Montclair’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of California: the public schools Montclair children attend outscore 53% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #458 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Montclair in?
Two districts: Ontario-Montclair School District runs grades K–8, and Chaffey Joint Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Chino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.
Where do Montclair kids go to high school?
Montclair High, with 2,515 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Montclair’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Chaffey Joint Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Montclair spend per student?
$18,582 in Chaffey Joint Union High School District and $24,222 in Ontario-Montclair School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Montclair?
Yes: International Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades 1–8, 18 students).
Parents talk
What Montclair families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Montclair → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.