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College Credit Options

College Credit Options

Clifton High School provides its students with multiple opportunities to earn college credit while completing their high school graduation requirements. Qualifying juniors and seniors have the option to earn credit through Passaic County Community College, Bergen Community College, Montclair State University, Berkeley College, and Fairleigh Dickinson University.  In each class, the student can earn 5 high school credits while also earning 3 college credits, transferable to any NJ public college or university.  Many of the college option programs are offered right on the campus of CHS; however, some require transportation to the specific college campus.  

  • As Juniors, students are eligible for Concurrent and Dual Enrollment courses through Passaic County Community College, the Early College Program through Bergen Community College, Montclair State University (SAMS) and Foreign Language courses through Fairleigh Dickinson. As Seniors, students are eligible for a 30-Credit Course Program, Concurrent Courses and Dual Enrollment Courses through Passaic County Community College, the Early Program through Montclair State University (SAMS Program), a 24-Credit Course Program through William Paterson University, College Level Accounting course through Berkeley College, and the Foreign Language courses through Fairleigh Dickinson.  

  • As Seniors, students are eligible for a 30-Credit Course Program, Concurrent Courses and Dual Enrollment Courses through Passaic County Community College, the Early Program through Montclair State University (SAMS Program), a 24-Credit Course Program through William Paterson University, College Level Accounting course through Berkeley College, and the Foreign Language courses through Fairleigh Dickinson.  

     

    Please click on the links for more detailed descriptions and eligibility requirements.
    We utilize the CollegeBoard Conversion Scale in order to ensure consistent and fair grading throughout all of our college programs. 
    Please contact the Counseling & Student Services Office with questions concerning College Credit Options programs.
    (973) 470-2067

Juniors

James Kosior
North Wing Vice Principal
jkosior@cliftonschools.net
(973) 470-2319

  • The College Board’s AP courses are college-level classes in a wide variety of subjects that you can take while still in high school. They offer you challenging coursework and a taste of what college classes are like.  Clifton High School offers a variety of AP course selections (current list below):

    When you take an AP course, you have the opportunity to take the AP exam in that subject.  You must pay a fee to take an AP exam. AP exams are given in May. They’re 2-3 hour tests made up of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5.

    The extra effort you put into an AP course is definitely worth it. Consider these benefits:

    • AP 2-D Art & Design
    • AP Biology
    • AP Chemistry
    • AP Physics C: Mechanics
    • AP Psychology
    • AP Calculus AB
    • AP Statistics
    • AP US Gov. & Politics
    • AP United States History
    • AP Computer Science A
    • AP Computer Science Principles
    • AP English Language & Composition
    • AP English Literature Composition
    • AP French Language & Culture
    • AP Italian Language & Culture
    • AP Spanish Language & Culture
    • AP courses offer the opportunity to study a subject in-depth at the college level. This better prepares you for college work.
    • If you receive a high enough score on an AP exam, you may be eligible for credit, advanced placement or both at most colleges in the United States.
    • The AP Program offers a number of AP Scholar Awards to students for outstanding performance on AP Exams. If you qualify, colleges will recognize this achievement.

    Jennifer Bergmann

    Supervisor of Counseling and Student Services 9-12
    jbergmann@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2324
    (F) 973-470-2325

  • Qualified juniors can earn an associate’s degree while attending high school in their junior and senior year. Students will spend half their day at Clifton High School and the remainder at BCC’s Lyndhurst campus taking classes that fulfill both high school and college degree requirements. Participation in this program provides students with an opportunity to get a head start on their college career, experience an enhanced and challenging level of learning, and access to on-campus resources like a typical BCC student. Courses taken through the college will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript. Students will graduate their senior year with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree.

    Qualifying students Frequently Asked Questions

    Q.  What courses can I take?  
    A.  Courses are selected in collaboration with BCC staff.


    Q.  How will I get billed for my classes?
    A.  BCC’s Bursar office will bill you every semester (Fall/Spring). These payments can be made directly through the student’s portal.


    Q. How do I obtain an official transcript from Bergen Community College?
    A.  Students will request an official transcript directly from the Bergen website.


    Q. Can I still partake in athletics and/or extracurricular activities?
    A.  Yes. Students participating in the program will return daily from BCCC in time to participate in any clubs, sports or other activities.

    We utilize the CollegeBoard conversion scale in order to ensure consistent and fair grading throughout all of our college programs.

    • Must have an 85 cumulative GPA (calculated mid-year, sophomore year)
    • Must complete application
    • Must be 16 years old by September of their junior year
    • Must pass 5 Accuplacer tests
    • Will be offered transportation to and from BCC’s Lyndhurst campus
    • Will be responsible for paying half of the out-of-county tuition rate

     

    Colleen Sarduy
    csarduy@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2340


    Early College Credit Program Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University's Middle College program gives college-bound juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience university-style learning before graduating high school. Qualifying students are high school students in advanced and honors sections of Spanish, French & Italian courses. Founded in 1984, the Middle College program is now affiliated with more than 100 high schools throughout New Jersey, providing over 2800 students the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their college education.

    Juri Diaz
    jdiaz@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-5294

  • PCCC programs enable qualifying high school junior students to earn an Associate's Degree at Passaic County Community College while still completing their high school course of studies. 
     

    Concurrent Courses

    Concurrent enrollment classes take place at Clifton High School during the normal school day. Classes are taught by master’s level teachers of Clifton High School who have been qualified by PCCC to do so. This is the most economical option for students and their families to earn college credits. Courses run the entire school year, from September through June. 
     

    Dual Enrollment Courses

    Dual Enrollment takes place at Clifton High School, not during regular school hours. Qualified juniors and seniors are afforded the opportunity to participate in these classes that are taught by college professors. Dual Enrollment courses run on a semester basis, so the pacing and rigor are similar to those offered on campus.  Students must take 2 courses - one in the Fall semester and the sequence class in the Spring Semester. The courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript.
     

    Qualifying Students Frequently Asked Questions

    Q.  What courses can I take?  
    A.  For the 30 Credit PCCC program, students will meet with the PCCC coordinator, Mr. Lopez, to schedule courses.  For the Dual Enrollment courses, students can select from the course scheduling sheet or application. 


    Q.  How will I get billed for my classes?
    A.  Students will be billed by PCCC and will have to pay them directly through the directions provided on the bill. 


    Q. How do I obtain an official transcript from Passaic County Community College?
    A.  The student will request a transcript through Passaic County Community College and request that it is sent to the school you are attending. PCCC Transcript Request

    • Must be junior grade status
    • Must meet qualifying GPA
    • PCCC 30 credit - 90 or above
    • Dual enrollment GPA is dependent upon the class, required GPAs for each class can be found on the application
    • Must complete an application and submit it to their counselor
    • Will be responsible for their own transportation, as needed


    Questions

    Please contact your child's counselor if you have additional questions. 

    ​​​​​​​

  • Qualified juniors can earn an associate’s degree while attending high school in their junior and senior year. Students will spend half their day at Clifton High School and the remainder at PCCC's campus taking classes that fulfill both high school and college degree requirements. Participation in this program provides students with an opportunity to get a head start on their college career, experience an enhanced and challenging level of learning, and access to on-campus resources like a typical PCCC student. Courses taken through the college will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript. Students will graduate their senior year with a high school diploma AND an Associate of Arts degree!

    Qualifying Students

    • Must have an 85 cumulative GPA (calculated mid-year of your sophomore year)
    • Must complete application
    • Must pass Accuplacer test or equivalent as determined by PCCC
    • Will be offered transportation to and from PCCC campus
    • Must abide by PCCC COVID protocol.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What courses can I take?
    A: Courses are selected in collaboration with PCCC staff.

    Q: How will I get billed for my classes?
    A: PCCC's Bursar office will bill you every semester.  These payments can be made directly through the student's portal.

    Q: How do I obtain an official transcript from Passaic County Community College?
    A:  Students will request an official transcript directly from PCCC, PCCC transcript request

    Q: Can I still partake in athletics and/or extracurricular activities?
    A: Yes. Students participating in the program will return daily from PCCC in time to participate in any clubs, sports, or other activities.  


    Contact

    Rachel Fabrykant
    School Counselor 
    rfabrykant@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2321

    Meaghan Conti
    Vice Principal 
    mconti@cliftonschools.net  
    (973) 470-2319

     

  • Our juniors have a great opportunity to take part in our SAMS program - Students at Montclair State University. Qualified juniors have the chance to complement high school study with Montclair State University coursework.  Through this pre-college program, qualified students earn transferable college credits, experience the rigors and expectations of college-level classes, learn alongside Montclair State University students and engage in courses taught by university professors on campus and online. Our SAMS students are required to take 3 classes and have the opportunity to take 4 classes, all at a discounted rate.  These courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript, and would be taken after the students' full day at CHS.
     

    Qualifying Students

    • Must have junior status
    • Must have a GPA of 90 or above
    • Must complete application(s)
    • Will be responsible for their own transportation to Montclair State University
    • Are required to take a minimum of 3 classes at MSU
    • Will be responsible for the cost of tuition (provided at a reduced rate)Must abide by the Montclair State University's COVID vaccine protocol


    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What courses can I take?
    A: General Education courses that do not require a prerequisite.  Click for Suggested Courses

    Q: How will I get billed for my classes?
    A: MSU Bursar's office will bill you for your portion of the tuition.

    Q: How do I obtain an official transcript from Montclair State University?
    A: The student will request a transcript through Montclair State University and request that it is sent to the school you are attending after graduating from CHS. Montclair State University Transcript Service

    Q: Can I still partake in athletics and/or extracurricular activities?
    A: Yes.  Since you will be attending CHS, you will be able to schedule your classes at MSU around your schedule.

     

Seniors

Please contact the Counseling & Student Services Office with questions concerning College Credit Options programs.
(973) 470-2067

  • The College Board’s AP courses are college-level classes in a wide variety of subjects that you can take while still in high school. They offer you challenging coursework and a taste of what college classes are like.  Clifton High School offers a variety of AP course selections (current list below):

    • AP 2-D Art & Design
    • AP Biology
    • AP Chemistry
    • AP Physics C: Mechanics
    • AP Psychology
    • AP Calculus AB
    • AP Statistics
    • AP US Gov. & Politics
    • AP United States History
    • AP Computer Science A
    • AP Computer Science Principles
    • AP English Language & Composition
    • AP English Literature Composition
    • AP French Language & Culture
    • AP Italian Language & Culture
    • AP Spanish Language & Culture


    When you take an AP course, you have the opportunity to take the AP exam in that subject.  You must pay a fee to take an AP exam. AP exams are given in May. They’re 2-3 hour tests made up of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5.

    The extra effort you put into an AP course is definitely worth it. Consider these benefits:

    • AP courses offer the opportunity to study a subject in-depth at the college level. This better prepares you for college work.
    • If you receive a high enough score on an AP exam, you may be eligible for credit, advanced placement or both at most colleges in the United States.
    • The AP Program offers a number of AP Scholar Awards to students for outstanding performance on AP Exams. If you qualify, colleges will recognize this achievement.


    ​​​​​​​Jennifer Bergmann

    Supervisor of Counseling and Student Services 9-12
    jbergmann@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2324
    (F) 973-470-2325

  • This course introduces the basic structure of accounting terminology and procedures of a business organization. Students learn about recording and reporting functions, adjusting and closing entries, the preparation of financial statements, accounting for merchandising operations, valuation of inventories, purpose of and significant features of internal controls, preparation of bank reconciliations and the valuation of receivables.  This course is taught by a master’s level CHS teacher who meets the requirements to teach at the college level. The curriculum and learning outcomes are set forth by Berkeley College and is established so that upon successful completion the students earn 3 transferable credits from the college.

    We utilize the CollegeBoard Conversion Scale in order to ensure consistent and fair grading throughout all of our college programs. 

    Jennifer Bergmann

    Supervisor of Counseling and Student Services 9-12
    jbergmann@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2324
    (F) 973-470-2325

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University's Middle College program gives college-bound juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience university-style learning before graduating high school. Qualifying students are high school students in advanced and honors sections of Spanish, French & Italian courses. Founded in 1984, the Middle College program is now affiliated with more than 100 high schools throughout New Jersey, providing over 2800 students the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their college education.

    Juri Diaz
    jdiaz@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-5294

  • PCCC programs enable qualifying high school senior students to earn college credits while they are still completing their high school course of studies. Qualified students may enroll in certain courses which earn credits at Clifton High School - which apply towards their high school graduation, and Passaic County Community College - which can apply towards a degree at PCCC.
     

    PCCC - 30 Credit Program

    Qualifying students in 12th grade may attend and earn up to 30 college credits on a PCCC campus. Students don’t take any classes at Clifton High School during their senior year. All high school graduation requirements are fulfilled at PCCC. This program gives students the opportunity to complete their first year of college at a discounted rate. Courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript. These courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript.

     

    Qualifying Students​​​​​​​

    • Must be a senior grade status
    • Must meet qualifying GPA
    • PCCC 30 credit - 90 or above
    • Dual enrollment GPA is dependent upon the class, required GPAs for each class can be found on the application
    • Must complete an application and submit it to their counselor
    • Will be responsible for their own transportation, as needed

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q.  What courses can I take?  
    A.  For the 30 Credit PCCC program, students will meet with the PCCC coordinator, Mr. Lopez, to schedule courses.  For the Dual Enrollment courses, students can select from the course scheduling sheet or application.

    Q.  How will I get billed for my classes?
    A.  Students will be billed by PCCC and will have to pay them directly through the directions provided on the bill. 

    Q. How do I obtain an official transcript from Passaic County Community College?
    A.  The student will request a transcript through Passaic County Community College and request that it is sent to the school you are attending. PCCC Transcript Request


    Questions

    For additional information, please contact your child's school counselor. 

  • PCCC programs enable qualifying high school senior students to earn an Associate's Degree at Passaic County Community College while still completing their high school course of studies. 

     

    Concurrent Courses

    Concurrent enrollment classes take place at Clifton High School during the normal school day. Classes are taught by master’s level teachers of Clifton High School who have been qualified by PCCC to do so. This is the most economical option for students and their families to earn college credits. Courses run the entire school year, from September through June. 

     

    Dual Enrollment Courses

    Dual Enrollment takes place at Clifton High School, not during regular school hours. Qualified juniors and seniors are afforded the opportunity to participate in these classes that are taught by college professors. Dual Enrollment courses run on a semester basis, so the pacing and rigor are similar to those offered on campus.  Students must take 2 courses - one in the Fall semester and the sequence class in the Spring Semester. The courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript.

     

    Qualifying Students Frequently Asked Questions

    Q.  What courses can I take?  
    A.  For the 30 Credit PCCC program, students will meet with the PCCC coordinator, Mr. Lopez, to schedule courses.  For the Dual Enrollment courses, students can select from the course scheduling sheet or application. 

    Q.  How will I get billed for my classes?
    A.  Students will be billed by PCCC and will have to pay them directly through the directions provided on the bill. 

    Q. How do I obtain an official transcript from Passaic County Community College?
    A.  The student will request a transcript through Passaic County Community College and request that it is sent to the school you are attending. PCCC Transcript Request

    • Must be senior grade status
    • Must meet qualifying GPA
    • PCCC 30 credit - 90 or above
    • Dual enrollment GPA is dependent upon the class, required GPAs for each class can be found on the application
    • Must complete an application and submit it to their counselor
    • Will be responsible for their own transportation, as needed

     

    Questions

    For additional information, please contact your child's school counselor. 

  • Our seniors have a great opportunity to take part in our SAMS program - Students At Montclair State University. Qualified seniors have the chance to complement high school study with Montclair State University coursework.  Through this pre-college program, qualified students earn transferable college credits, experience the rigors and expectations of college-level classes, learn alongside Montclair State University students and engage in courses taught by university professors on campus and online. Our SAMS students are required to take 3 classes and have the opportunity to take 4 classes, all at a discounted rate.  These courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript.

     

    Qualifying Students

    • Must have senior status
    • Must have a GPA of 90 or above
    • Must complete application(s)
    • Will be responsible for their own transportation to Montclair State University
    • Are required to take a minimum of 3 classes at MSU
    • Will be responsible for the cost of tuition (provided at a reduced rate)
    • Must abide by the Montclair State University's COVID vaccine protocol


    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q.  What courses can I take?
    A.  General Education courses that do not require a prerequisite. Click for Suggested Courses

    Q.  How will I get billed for my classes?
    A.  The Clifton Board of Education will bill you for the courses and you will submit your payment to the Clifton Board of Education.

    Q: How will I get billed for my classes?
    A: MSU Bursar's office will bill you your portion of the tuition.

    Q. How do I obtain an official transcript from Montclair State University?
    A.  The student will request a transcript through Montclair State University and request that it is sent to the school you are attending. Montclair State University Transcript Service

    Q. Can I still partake in athletics and/or extracurricular activities?
    A.  Yes.  Since you will be attending CHS on a shortened day, you will be able to schedule your classes around your schedule.

     

    Rachel Fabrykant
    School Counselor
    ​​​​​​​rfabrykant@cliftonschools.net

    James Kosior
    Vice Principal
    jkosior@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2320

     

  • William Paterson University programs enable qualifying high school senior students to earn WPU college credits while they are still completing their high school course of studies. Qualified students may enroll in certain courses which earn credits at Clifton High School - that apply towards their high school graduation, and William Paterson University - which can apply towards a degree at WPU.
     

    WPU - 24 Credit Program

    Qualifying students in 12th grade may attend and earn up to 30 college credits on a WPU campus. Students don’t take any classes at Clifton High School during their senior year. All high school graduation requirements are fulfilled at WPU. This program gives students the opportunity to complete their first year of college at a discounted rate. Courses will weigh as AP courses on their high school transcript.
     

    Qualifying Students

    • Must be a senior grade status
    • Must meet qualifying GPA 90 or above
    • WPU 24 credit
    • Dual enrollment GPA is dependent upon the class, required GPAs for each class can be found on the application
    • Must complete an application and submit it to their counselor
    • Will be responsible for their own transportation, as needed


    Contact Mr. Santiago at asantiago@cliftonschools.net​​​​​​​