• Q: What must be included with my application?

    A. The application must be completely filled out and signed by a parent/guardian.  It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that the application is received on or before the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.  Your application must include school transcripts from 7th grade and the first marking period of 8th grade when available.  You will be able to log back in to the application when 8th grade report cards are available for upload.

    Q:  I have submitted my application but my counselor is not able to submit grades until the first marking level ends.  What do I do?

    A.  Nothing.  The deadline is for students to submit their portion of the application and the 7th grade final report card.  We understand the 8th grade first marking level report card may not be available until after the deadline.  We do hope it will be submitted no later than December 15th.

      Q: How competitive is the field and what are the minimum requirements?

    A. In general, there will be more applicants than available spaces. We rank all applicants based on academic records and performance on our Assessment Test. Students who are accepted generally earn an “A” average in middle school.

    Q: Do I need to register for the admissions test?

    A. All students who apply by the deadline and meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be registered to test.  Testing information will be sent out in December.

     Q: What is on the admissions test?

    A. The Admissions Test measures aptitude in math, science, reading, and writing.  Sample questions are available here.

     Q: What if I am sick and miss the test date?

    A. A make-up test date may be administered based on the circumstances of the individual at the discretion of the administration.

     Q: How and when will I be notified of acceptance?

    A. It will take approximately four weeks for all processing to be completed after the exam is administered. All applicants who qualify will be scheduled for an interview in February/March.   Acceptances will then be notified within four weeks of the interview.  Students who do not make the interview phase will be notified and can then apply to our other Magnet Schools: Perth Amboy, East Brunswick, or Piscataway.

    Q: Are there waiting lists?

    A. All students who qualify for admission are either accepted or placed on the waiting list. All applications are kept on file through the following school year. Should a spot open up, the waiting list will be reviewed for a replacement.

    Q: How is residency for private/parochial school students determined?

    A. All students are considered to be from the public school district in which they reside, regardless of the school that they attend.

    Q: Can more than one student from a district be accepted?

    A. Yes, as space permits, multiple acceptances from a school district may be considered.

    Q: What if my resident district is outside Middlesex County?

    A. Only Middlesex County residents will be considered for the Academy.

    Q: Can I play sports at my home district?

    A.  Only if it is a sport we do not offer and transportation to the games is the responsibility of the parent.  Contact your home district to try out and once on the team, we would just need a note on letterhead from the coach saying you are on the team along with the season schedule.

    Q:  What if I am in the ninth grade? Can I apply?
     
    A. Only eighth-graders may apply. Only students placed on the waitlist may be considered for admission during the freshman year if an opening becomes available. 
     
    Q:  What if I did not complete Algebra 1? Can I take it at summer school?
     
    A.  Students must complete a full year of Algebra 1 in order to attend the Academy. Some students successfully complete Algebra 1 in 7th grade. As long as the student completes a full year of Algebra 1 prior to graduating from middle school, he/she is eligible. A summer school course in Algebra 1 is not considered a full year.  Pre-Algebra of ANY level is NOT Algebra I.  All students must complete Geometry prior to attending the Academy.  For Geometry, we will offer it here during the summer in order to fulfill that requirement.