Guidance Counseling Department » Bridge Year Pilot Program

Bridge Year Pilot Program

 
The February 15th deadline for seniors to apply for the Bridge Year Pilot Program has passed and we're no longer accepting applications.  Current Juniors may still apply for the Bridge Year program during their senior year, deadlines to be announced.  
 
 
The Bridge Year Pilot Program is a new law which is meant to address some of the issues which the COVID-19 Pandemic has created for High School students.
 
The law allows students the option to defer graduation for a year.  During this 5th year of high school students can pursue a combination of High School classes, sports and extracurricular activities and County College classes.
 
More information about the law is presented below but you can also visit the Department of Education's Bridge Year website at https://www.nj.gov/education/covid19/boardops/bridge.shtml .
 
Interested students must contact Mr. Jorstad in writing by Monday, February 15th.
 
 
This presentation has been developed to explain the program to interested students and families.
 
Bridge Year Pilot Program Presentation
 
 
The following link will take you to a document released by the NJ Department of Education which better explains the Bridge Year law.
 
 
Some items which have been either changed or clarified are as follows:
  • The deadline to notify Hackettstown High School has been changed to February 15th of the senior year.
  • Being a bridge year student does not automatically qualify a student for spring athletics.  All school rules and participation requirements still apply.
  • Both high school and college credits taken during the Bridge Year will appear on the student's high school transcript.
  • Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) should be completed between May 15 and June 1 of the student's senior year.
  • Bridge Year students do not have to take PE & Health in during their Bridge Year.
  • Bridge Year students shall be considered non-matriculated students of their respective county college.
 
Additionally:
  • The Bridge Year law only applies to college courses taken during the fall and winter terms of the Bridge Year.
  • The Bridge Year law does not apply to college courses taken during summer terms.  While students are permitted to take summer session classes at a college, these classes would not be considered to be a part of the Bridge Year.
  • Homeschooled students are unfortunately not eligible to participate in the Bridge Year Program.