Gifted & Talented Education
Northern Highlands Gifted and Talented Education
Overview
Northern Highlands Regional High School recognizes its responsibility to identify gifted and talented students within the school district and to provide students with appropriate instructional adaptations and services. It is important to note that “gifted and talented students” means students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.
Programs
Honors Math Analysis – Grade 9
Honors Math Analysis is an accelerated course designed for high-achieving mathematics students. This rigorous program integrates key concepts from both Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry, providing an advanced foundation in logical reasoning, geometric principles, and algebraic functions. Students will engage in an in-depth exploration of topics such as logic, deductive reasoning, congruent triangles, quadrilaterals, inequalities, similar polygons, right triangles, circles, constructions, coordinate geometry, area, and volume. Additionally, students will study a variety of functions, including general, linear, quadratic, piecewise, polynomial, and rational functions, with an emphasis on proofs and the derivation of formulas where appropriate.
This course aligns with the New Jersey Gifted and Talented Education Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 through 18A:35-39) by providing an appropriately challenging curriculum for students who demonstrate exceptional mathematical aptitude. The act emphasizes the importance of identifying and supporting gifted learners through advanced coursework that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and higher-order reasoning skills. The accelerated pacing and depth of Honors Math Analysis ensure that students are engaged in meaningful, rigorous learning experiences that prepare them for future success in advanced mathematics.
Students in 8th grade who are recommended for this course will take a comprehensive placement test in March or April to determine their eligibility. Multiple criteria are used to evaluate placement, with final determinations reviewed by the district’s mathematics supervisor.
Honors Math Analysis Progression
Students enrolled in Honors Math Analysis will follow an advanced mathematics track, preparing them for collegiate-level coursework by their senior year:
- 9th Grade: Honors Math Analysis
- 10th Grade: AP Precalculus or AP Statistics
- 11th Grade: AP Statistics or AP Calculus BC
- 12th Grade: Honors Multivariable Calculus
The programs offered to gifted and talented students may include, but are not limited to, classroom differentiated instruction (as indicated in units of study); acceleration; flexible pacing; compacted curriculum; distance learning; advanced classes; Advanced Placement (AP) courses; Career and Academic Pathways offerings, or individual programs infused into the student’s regular instructional program, as courses and programs are listed on the student’s transcript. Northern Highlands has robust Advanced Placement offerings, dual enrollment courses as well as programs for advancement.
In order for students to engage in upper level, rigorous coursework, that is not dependent on grade-level peers, may include Advanced Placement (AP) courses such as: AP Art - History of Art, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language and Culture, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics I, AP Physics C, AP Psychology, AP Studio Art (2D), AP Studio Art Drawing and Painting, AP Statistics, AP World Modern, and AP US Government. By the variety of offerings at Northern Highlands, students can enroll in a variety of courses that advance their learning and engage the gifted student.
Access to Gifted and Talented Programs
Multiple measures shall be used to identify students as “gifted” either as they enter or continue through Northern Highlands Regional High School. Multiple measures may include, but are not limited to: achievement test scores; grades; student performance or products; intelligence testing; parent, student, and/or teacher recommendation; and other appropriate measures. Some programs offer placement tests, matched with prerequisite course grades and teacher recommendations scored on single point rubrics. The identification methods are developmentally appropriate, non-discriminatory, and related to the programs and services offered by the district.
The identification procedures will be reviewed annually. The process for access to programs for the subsequent year, begins in January preceding the school year. Final determination for placements are made no later than June of a given year for the next school year.
Course Placement
Students at Northern Highlands should continue to investigate their interests and engage in courses of study that are compelling and challenging. Access to programming may be limited based on teacher recommendations and grades in prerequisite courses. Policies and procedures for specific courses can be found in the annually produced Curriculum Guide. All prerequisite coursework and program descriptions are updated annually. A student may go through the appeals process that begins the student indicating that they wish to appeal a placement with their guidance counselor. Questions and concerns can be directed to the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Michael Novak, who also serves as the program director for Gifted and Talented Education. She can be reached at (201) 327-8700 x566 or by email at novakm@northernhighlands.org
Complaints
An individual who believes the district has not complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34et seq. may file a complaint with the Board of Education. This policy for filing a complaint shall be linked to the homepage of the Board’s Internet website. The Board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter. The individual may then file a petition of appeal of the Board’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.
For a full list of all of our advanced offerings, please refer to the Career & Academic Pathways page located at this link.
