About

Montgomery Elementary School is a public school serving students in transitional kindergarten through 6th grade in the Evergreen School District of San Jose, California.

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School Profile: CA Department of Education →
School Accountability Report Card (SARC) →
Annual School Plans (CSSP & SPSA) →

School Mission Statement

We, the staff of John J. Montgomery School, are committed to the process of educating the whole child - academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. We value the individual and cultural differences that each child brings to our campus. All students have equal access to a rigorous curriculum with high expectations necessary for successful transition from one grade to the next. All students are responsible for their learning and behavior within a safe school community. All students have opportunities to develop both technical and critical thinking skills to make them productive participants in the global community.

School Vision Statement

Montgomery Elementary School is committed to empowering all students to be successful learners and valiant problem solvers. We provide a safe environment in which every child develops confidence and experiences success. We embrace our motto “Knowledge is Power” and believe in the ability of every child to become an inspired life-long learner.

A California Distinguished School
2000, 1995

Principal’s Message

Welcome to John J. Montgomery Elementary School!

John J. Montgomery Elementary School has proudly served the Evergreen community since opening its doors in 1975. Nestled near the foothills of southeast San José, Montgomery has a long tradition of academic excellence, having twice been recognized as a California Distinguished School. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to providing students with a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment where every child is encouraged to grow, achieve, and succeed.

Today, we continue to build upon that strong foundation by ensuring every student is known, valued, and challenged to reach their full potential. At Montgomery, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality instruction, meaningful learning experiences, and the support needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our diverse school community is one of our greatest strengths. We celebrate the unique cultures, languages, and experiences our students bring to school each day while fostering an inclusive environment where every learner belongs. Through strong partnerships with families, dedicated educators, and a caring community, we work together to create opportunities for every student to succeed.

Our focus is on preparing students for the future through engaging instruction in literacy, mathematics, science, and English language development. Teachers work collaboratively to analyze student learning, identify essential standards, and provide targeted support that helps every learner make meaningful progress. We are committed to expanding hands-on learning experiences, strengthening critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, and ensuring all students have equitable access to rigorous instruction.

Equally important is our commitment to developing character and citizenship. Through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices, and social-emotional learning, we foster a culture of kindness, responsibility, perseverance, and respect. We strive to empower every Montgomery Glider to become a confident learner, compassionate leader, and responsible member of our community.

At Montgomery, we are proud of our history, inspired by our present, and excited about our future. Together with our exceptional staff, supportive families, and engaged community, we will continue building a school where every student has the opportunity to soar. Thank you for being part of the Montgomery community. We look forward to an incredible year of learning, growth, and success together.

Mrs. Jaime Hammond
Principal, John J. Montgomery

School Name

John J. Montgomery landing The Evergreen monoplane glider in October 1911.

John J. Montgomery Elementary School is proudly named after John Joseph Montgomery (1858–1911), a pioneering American inventor, physicist, and engineer who taught at Santa Clara College in nearby Santa Clara. Montgomery is best known for his groundbreaking work in aviation and for designing some of the earliest controlled, heavier-than-air flying machines.

In the early 1900s, Montgomery tested his glider, The Evergreen, in the hills east of San Jose in an area now known as Montgomery Hill, located just behind Evergreen Valley College. During a test flight, strong turbulence caused his glider to stall, leading to a fatal crash. Despite the tragic end, Montgomery's contributions to aviation left a lasting legacy, and he is remembered as one of California’s aviation pioneers. Our school is one of five in California named in his honor.