College Aptitude Tests are designed to measure a students' projected ability to succeed in college. Many colleges and universities require these tests as part of the admissions process. Northern Highlands serves as a Saturday Test Center for both the SAT and the ACT. These tests are open to any high school students in the area who register directly through these testing agencies. As a service to our students, Highlands also offers the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th and 11th graders, and the PreACT to 10th graders once each year. These practice tests offer our students an opportunity to sit for exams that simulate the SAT and ACT in a low-stakes setting. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these practice tests in order to determine which college aptitude test is best for them. Because the PSAT and SAT are only offered digitally, and the PreACT and ACT are still paper-based exams, students should consider whether exam format has an impact on their choce to take one or the other. For more details, click on the section header.

Both the state of New Jersey and the federal government require that students demonstrate proficiency in math and English language arts (ELA). Additionally, the NJDOE also requires that students demonstrate proficiency in science. Thus, high school students are required to take the NJSLA in math, ELA and science. The NJSLA math and ELA assessments are given to predominantly 9th graders, with a small number of exceptions for students in grades 10-12 taking Algebra I for the first time. The NJSLA science assessment is given to 11th grade students. Students in 11th grade are also required to take the NJGPA in math and ELA. Passing these tests fulfills the proficiency requirement for high school graduation. Students who do not pass these assessments may still meet graduation requirements through alternate pathways as described on the NJDOE website, however, access to alternate pathways is restricted to students who initially sit for the NJGPA and do not pass. For more details, click on the section header.

In compliance with the Every Student Succees Act and  N.J.A.C. 6A:15 Bilingual Education, Northern Highlands identifies, assesses and recommends support for students who are English Language Learners (ELLs). Students identified as needing extra support as English Language Learners have the option to receive supplemental instruction in this area. The ELLs are identified initially through the completion of the Home Language Survey given to all incoming students, a brief interview, and scores from the WIDA Screener, an assessment that measures reading, listening, writing and speaking skills.  All students identified as ELLs must take the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs each spring in order to either qualifiy for continued English Language Support, or to formally exit the English Language Learner program. More details about the NJ ESL program can be found on the NJDOE website. For more details, click on the section header.