Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented Program Services, Criteria, and Policies 

The District uses multiple measures to identify gifted and talented students in the areas of intellectual abilities, creativity, or specific content areas. The identification process includes the consideration of all students, including the District’s English language learners and those with Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans.  


Multiple measures are used to identify gifted and talented students in specific content areas for level placement into Honors or Advanced Placement courses.  These measures may include, but are not limited to, the academic level, marking period and final grades of courses taken, summative assessment scores / performances, critical thinking and habits of mind to extract deeper meanings and connections when analyzing reading passages, a heightened level of application of content and class discussion, performances in the fine and practical arts, performances in physical education and athletics, faculty recommendations, and other appropriate measures.  This process is ongoing throughout a student’s time in high school and allows for movement between the academic levels on an ongoing basis.  AP Potential is also used to identify students for AP placement.  


Teachers across all academic levels (CP, CPE, H, and AP) differentiate instruction according to process, content, and/or product, and within each, extend to learning style, readiness level, and/or interest to meet the needs of the students.  Suggested approaches and methods to differentiate instruction for gifted and talented students, according to process, product, content, and learning environment, are also included in the District's curricular documents.


The District also offers various programs to meet the intellectual abilities and passions of students, including the University Program and the Pathways Program.  The District has three University Programs in International Studies and Business, Engineering and Design, and Science, Medicine and Research.  These three programs are four-year programs with several required courses that provide students with a unique opportunity in the field of study.  The District’s Pathways Program has nine identified areas of study, each of which allows students to choose between core and interdisciplinary courses to accumulate 20 credits in a particular focused area over four years.  The District has recently started the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s High School Stem Aviation Curriculum, which is a four-year program for students interested in becoming licensed as a private pilot or in the operation of unmanned aircrafts (written exams).   


The District is rich with athletics and extracurricular opportunities for students to challenge themselves and apply their gifts and talents.  Examples include a wide variety of athletics for individual and team sports, academic decathlon, science league, math league, debate, robotics, art literary publications, and music programs and competitions.  Students in the District have experienced success and recognition in many ways such as the Governor’s School, National Merit Scholarship Finalists, leadership programs, the showcasing of student-developed artwork in regional art shows, fashion competitions, the Seal of Biliteracy program, and earning All-Conference, All-County, All-State, and All-American honors through athletics.  


Policies and Procedures

Policy 2464 - Gifted and Talented Students / Honors / Accelerated Instruction

Regulation 2464 - Gifted and Talented 



Additional Information

Any questions about the curriculum, recommendation process for enrollment in the various academic levels, and the Gifted and Talented Program, please contact Dr. Melissa Quackenbush (201.416.8100 ext. 3818 or [email protected]), Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Articulation.


Additional information about the District’s Gifted and Talented Program can be found in the BOE Policy 2464 (Gifted and Talented Students / Honors / Accelerated Instruction) and BOE Regulation 2464 (Gifted and Talented).


Complaint Process for Noncompliance

For information on issuing a complaint about the Program, please see BOE Policy 9130 (Public Complaints and Grievances) and BOE Regulation 9130 (Public Complaints and Grievances).

Additional Information
Gifted and Talented FAQ (NJDOE)
Gifted and Talented Act