Bergen Community College Partnership Programs

Through a partnership with Bergen Community College, Northern Highlands will allow high-performing junior and senior students the ability to earn an Associate Degree (60 college credits) while still in high school. The Early College Program is an innovative way for high school students to earn both a high school diploma and a two-year Associate Degree, which can be applied toward a Bachelor’s Degree, thus reducing the cost of tuition to complete college and allowing students to fulfill most general education requirements in a typical four-year college or univerity. Students in this program will receive either a Professional Studies General Education Degree or a Natural Science and Math General Degree.

Freshmen and sophomore students are encouraged to meet with their high school counselors to map out their four-year high school course load in order to ensure all requirements are met to earn both Bergen Community College and Northern Highlands diplomas before graduation. This program begins in junior year.  Students will have the opportunity to earn Associate Degree credit by taking AP, Dual Enrollment, and courses at most colleges, including Bergen Community College. Current sophomore students can retroactively apply AP credits toward the Early College Program. 

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible to participate in the Early College Program: 1) A cumulative GPA of  3.7 or better after the sophomore year at Northern Highlands; 2) Pass all portions of the assessment(s) required by the State of New Jersey for high school graduation; 3) Achieve qualifying test scores on the SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer prior to June of sophomore year.

Any online and/or seated college class will be weighted as Honors level. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm course enrollment and provide official transcripts to both the Career & Academic Supervisor and the Director of School Counseling to ensure the student transcript reflects the coursework and the final grade.

This program offers up to four (4) college credits per course at a reduced Northern Highlands tuition rate. The approximate cost of the program is approximately $8,000 for 60 college credits over two years. The cost per credit is subject to change. Any tuition costs, fees, and textbook materials will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian. The Board of Education will not assume any responsibility for any fees associated with this program.

There are two applications associated with this program: a Bergen Community College application and Northern Highlands' BCC Application: NH BCC Early College Program Application. Once the appropriate course(s) are determined, students should complete the NH Course Request for Advancement/Enrichment  for each individual college course.  

Prerequisite: Prior administrative approval by the Career & Academic Pathways Supervisor, Department Supervisor, Director of School Counseling, and Principal must be obtained before enrolling in any online and/or seated course.

Bergen Experience Program:

Students in grades 10 through 12 may participate in this program.  Applications are due 4/1 for fall semester, 12/1 for spring semester, and 4/1 for summer semester.

High-performing sophomores, juniors, and seniors can take courses on the BCC campus while still attending high school during the school year and/or summer.  The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible to be part of the Bergen Experience Program 1) Acceptable GPA; 2) Achieve qualifying test scores on the SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer prior to June. 

Any online and/or seated college class will be weighted as Honors level. This program offers up to four (4) college credits per course at a reduced Northern Highlands tuition rate. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm course enrollment and provide official transcripts to both the Career & Academic Supervisor and the Director of School Counseling to ensure the student transcript reflects the coursework and the final grade. Any tuition costs, fees, and textbook materials will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian. The Board of Education will not assume any responsibility for any fees associated with this program.

Once the appropriate course(s) are determined, students should complete the NH Course Request for Advancement/Enrichment  for each individual college course.

Prerequisite: Prior administrative approval by the Career & Academic Pathways Supervisor, Department Supervisor, Director of School Counseling, and Principal must be obtained before enrolling in any online and/or seated course.