Academics
Our curriculum is driven by the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Teachers develop lessons from district curriculum and programs to ensure effective learning opportunities for our students. Our core district curriculum includes English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social science.
English Language Arts Literacy
Students in Grades K-3 have 120 instructional minutes of English Language Arts daily. Students in Grades 4-5 have 90 instructional minutes of English Language Arts daily. With our curriculum, we will build a strong foundation in literacy for our children. In alignment with the Science of Reading, we implement a research-based approach to English Language Arts instruction. These best practices include: teaching phonemic awareness with intention, teaching phonics explicitly and systematically, teaching decoding strategies, using decodable texts, embracing effective approaches to teaching “sight words,” focusing on meaningful fluency practice, and improving comprehension by developing vocabulary and background knowledge. Our district implements the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program in Grades K-5 to help children develop foundational literacy skills. For Grades K-2, the CKLA program sequences deep content knowledge-building with research-based foundational skills. For Grades 3-5, the CKLA program integrates foundational skills students have learned in Grades K-2 while continuing to build rich content knowledge.
Our students will use the IXL assessment throughout the year. This assessment tool enables teachers to identify students’ reading achievement, document progress, and modify teaching methods to plan and implement instruction. IXL will serve as a multiple measure to determine reading level proficiency.
In addition, students will be assessed using the Acadience Reading tool to help teachers identify those who may have reading difficulties. This assessment will be administered three times per year, along with progress monitoring. The data collected will inform instructional support and targeted skills for our learners.
Mathematics
Students in Grades K-5 have sixty instructional minutes of mathematics instruction daily. Our district implements the Reveal Math program as a teaching resource for Grades K-5. Built on the latest academic research and best pedagogical practices, Reveal Math provides every student with a strong foundation in mathematics and conceptual skills that go beyond the math classroom. The Reveal Math program differentiates instruction and fosters student agency. Through the program’s instructional design, Reveal Math empowers students to build a math mindset and master critical standards. Reveal Math assessments are administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the year, and unit assessments are used at the end of each topic.
Our students will use the IXL assessment throughout the year. This assessment tool enables teachers to identify students’ math achievement, document progress, and modify teaching methods to plan and implement instruction. IXL will serve as a multiple measure to determine math proficiency.
Science
Students in Grades K-3 have forty instructional minutes of science and social studies daily on an alternating basis. Students in Grades 4-5 have sixty instructional minutes of science and social studies daily on an alternating basis. Following the Next Generation Science Standards, our district implements the Full Option Science System (FOSS) program to guide science instruction for Grades K-5. FOSS is a research-based science curriculum, which provides tools and strategies to engage students in developing their science understanding. Students participate in active learning experiences!
Social Studies
Students in Grades K-3 have forty instructional minutes of social studies and science daily on an alternating basis. Students in Grades 4-5 have sixty instructional minutes of social studies and science daily on an alternating basis. In Grades K-5, teachers use the social studies standards to incorporate opportunities for our children to interact with the real world around them. Many social studies concepts are integrated into reading and writing instruction. During the 2026-2027 School Year, the Savvas Social Studies Program will be piloted with all learners in Grades 4-5.
Related Arts
Students in Grades K-5 have at least one Related Arts course daily for forty instructional minutes. Related Arts are an integral part of each child’s comprehensive academic experiences. All students receive regular instruction in Art, Music (vocal and instrumental), Physical Education, Spanish, and Technology.
Student Support Services
As with any learning context, there are times when students require additional time and reinforcements in order to be successful academically, socially, and/or emotionally. Such programs to support students are available to children at Bradford, as in all schools throughout the district. The relevant approach is considered for any students for whom a concern arises and a need is identified. As partners in the education community, parents/guardians/caregivers are consulted and informed during each phase of the process. We aim to partner with families as we seek to facilitate student growth and positive academic experiences.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports & Student Support Committee
Academic support is offered to students who are not on benchmark levels throughout the school year in English Language Arts and mathematics by implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Teachers assist children regularly as part of their differentiated instruction. If a child does not respond to this Tier I support, then the classroom teacher will provide additional targeted instruction throughout an intervention cycle. This Tier II instruction occurs in addition to regular instruction and takes place three times a week in a small group setting in the classroom. Tier III instruction, which is provided by a curriculum support teacher in a small group pull out setting, is available to students who need even more intensive support in a particular intervention cycle and is in addition to regular classroom instruction four to five times a week.
Bradford also has a Student Support Committee (SSC) that develops an Action Plan containing goals, interventions, and a timeline for the plan's duration to meet the needs of individual learners. The SSC follows a multidisciplinary approach with a well-articulated system of supportive activities and services for staff who have identified student difficulties and those who will be involved in the amelioration of the identified educational concerns.
Gifted & Talented
As per a New Jersey Department of Education mandate (N.J.A.C 6A:8-3.1), our district identifies and provides a continuum of services to learners in the area of Gifted and Talented education. Gifted & Talented is the district’s approach to addressing the needs of students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability in one or more content areas when compared to their chronological peers in the local school district and who require modifications of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities. In Montclair, our response is guided by the principles of differentiation. At Bradford, teachers will provide differentiation in the classroom for all students in the content areas of English Language Arts and/or mathematics. Instructional formats include magnet opportunities (Kindergarten-Grade 5), differentiation (Kindergarten-Grade 5), cluster grouping (Grades 2-5), as well as the participation of learners in an independent inquiry that engages them in self-directed, project-based academic investigations (Grades 1-5). Additional information pertaining to the Montclair Public Schools Gifted and Talented continuum of services may be found on the district’s Gifted & Talented Education webpage.