Saddle Brook School District requires 120 credits, passing scores on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA), and to complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the waiver to receive a diploma. 

Generally, students attempt 35 credits per year while enrolled at Saddle Brook High School.

Most Saddle Brook students earn beyond the minimum 120 credits.

Since entrance requirements for colleges vary according to the specific school, students and parents should become familiar with the different college requirements. Students, in collaboration with their families and counselors, should begin early to determine college requirements and plan to build these into their course of study. Counselors have many resources to help parents and students with this task. CollegeBoard and other internet sites are valuable tools in helping to develop a plan. Competitive colleges recommend that students have 20+ academic courses. Students should take note of testing requirements for colleges of interest to them. 

A general year-by-year plan is as follows:

Grade 9:

• Work with your Counselor and parents to develop an appropriate long-term academic plan.

• Begin research using CollegeBoard.

• Begin research using Naviance.

Grade 10:

• Take PSAT in October (administered at Saddle Brook High School).

• Create a CollegeBoard account to review PSAT answers.

• Use CollegeBoard’s MyRoad to take a career interest survey.

• Visit college campuses. 

• Naviance: use tools “About Me.”

Grade 11 (Fall):

• Take the PSAT in October (administered at Saddle Brook High School).

• Plan when/where to take the SAT and/or ACT.

• Continue research of college admission requirements using CollegeBoard.

• Visit college campuses and attend college fairs.

• Create a brag sheet

Grade 11 (Spring):

• Register for SAT and/or ACT.

• Take appropriate AP or SAT II assessments.

• Continue college research using CollegeBoard and college-specific websites.

• Visit college campuses.

• Consider early decision or early action.

• Take SAT II (if required).

• Register online with a scholarship search engine (fastweb.com, collegescholarships.com, collegeboard.com, etc.).

• Register with NCAA Clearinghouse if you are planning to participate in a Division I or II collegiate athletic program.

• Request teacher letters of recommendation before the end of junior year. Teachers need time to write recommendation letters and the summer break is the perfect time for teachers to do so. Make sure you have your brag sheet ready.

Grade 12 (Summer and Early Fall):

• Complete senior activity sheet/build résumé.

• Follow up on letters of recommendation; send a request through Naviance.

• Discuss college choices with your counselor.

• Create a list of colleges to which you will apply; file applications.

• Request admission interviews (if available).

• Retake SAT and/or ACT.

• Listen for announcements from the Guidance Department pertaining to visiting college representatives, scholarship news, application deadlines, etc. 

• Take SAT II (if necessary).

• Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1.

Grade 12 (Late Fall):

• Submit college Early Decision (binding) and Early Action (non-binding) applications beginning in mid-October.

• Retake SAT and/or ACT (if necessary).

Grade 12 (Winter):

• Complete all college applications.

• Apply for local/community-based scholarships.