Holmdel presents 2025–26 program of studies; announces AP exam support, tighter placement rules and expanded dual-enrollment

Holmdel Township School District officials on Jan. 29 presented the district’s 2025–26 program of studies and course-placement timeline, announcing changes that affect how students qualify for honors and AP courses, how parents apply for placement waivers and summer advancement, and how the district will expand dual-enrollment options.

The presentation, delivered to the Board of Education and streamed to the public, outlined graduation requirements, new and renamed courses, partnership programs with area colleges, revised placement criteria and deadlines, and administrative guidance for families about scheduling, waivers and summer advancement. District staff said the board-approved change will cover up to two Advanced Placement exam fees per student per year beginning with the class of 2028, and the presentation set specific deadlines and documentation requirements for students seeking to waive into higher-level courses.

Why it matters: the changes affect course access, transcript records and postsecondary planning for hundreds of Holmdel students. Tighter placement criteria and new waiver processes are aimed at reducing mixed-ability sections that administrators said have impeded classroom pace; expanded dual-enrollment and career-concentration options are intended to increase college and career readiness.

What administrators presented

Graduation and core-sequence guidance: The district reiterated that New Jersey high school graduation requires 120 credits and described the recommended and required course sequences: three years of science are required (four years recommended by some colleges), two years of the same world language are required (three or more recommended for competitive colleges), and three years of social studies are required. Staff emphasized that some colleges may require physics for particular majors and encouraged families to consult counselors about prerequisites and college expectations.

Career concentrations and college partnerships: The high school’s program of studies now displays career-concentration pathways that will appear on final transcripts. Administrators highlighted an expanded partnership with Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences that offers preparatory coursework in medicine, biotechnology and related research, including an Honors Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant sequence that culminates in an opportunity to sit for a national certification exam.

AP exam funding and AP expectations: District presenters announced that, "beginning with the class of 2028, the district will pay for up to two AP exams per year" for students in AP courses. Administrators also reiterated that students enrolled in AP courses are expected to sit for the College Board AP exam. (The announcement applied to the cohort identified in the presentation as the class of 2028 and to students in classes thereafter.)

Placement criteria and waiver changes: The presentation described a revised placement matrix and threshold scores used to place students into honors-level courses or to make them eligible to submit waiver requests and waiver work. For most honors ELA and honors math courses (except honors Algebra I for rising seventh graders) the staff described the matrix thresholds as: 68 points for automatic placement; 4–5 points makes a student eligible for waiver with required summer waiver work; and 1–3 points are not eligible for a waiver. For honors Algebra placement at rising seventh grade the stated thresholds were: 8 points for automatic placement and 6–7 points eligible for waiver with required summer work. Administrators said these guardrails were revised after district analysis showed cohorts of students who had waived in were underperforming on state assessments.

Waiver, timeline and summer-work rules: The program-of-studies rollout includes a firm schedule for families and students: - Program-of-studies and placement matrix release: Jan. 31 - Parent placement information session (live-streamed and recorded): Feb. 14 - Placement tests (including an English after-school placement assessment): March (specific dates in the placement letter) - Rising seventh-grade orientation: April 7 - Course selection due date: April 22 - Placement results mailed: week of May 27 - Off-campus forms for Option 2 due to supervisor of health and physical education: May 22 - Last date to submit waiver requests after the June 30 letter: July 15 at 11:59 p.m. (no extensions) - Waiver work due: July 31 at 11:59 p.m. (students who fail to complete required waiver work by this deadline will be rostered into the recommended course) Administrators said counselors will notify families of waiver decisions by June 30; late waiver work is not accepted.

Option 2 and individualized student learning experiences: The district described Option 2 (identified in board materials as "individualized student learning experiences" in New Jersey Administrative Code 6A) as a pathway that may supplant a physical education seat for qualifying students. Students in grades 10–12 may pursue Pathways A, B or C; ninth graders are eligible only for Pathway C because of uncertainties about freshman sports-lineups. District staff said internships, outside coaching/training and other verified experiences can be substituted under Option 2 following administrative review; final approval rests with the district review committee.

Math summer advancement: Administrators described an established process that allows students to advance by demonstrating content mastery through a summer study and assessment regimen. Eligibility requires a 90% final average in the prerequisite year’s math course (ninth-grade math for the summer-advancement opportunities described) and submission of intent (example deadline in presentation: May 30). Students choose a summer study platform (district staff listed examples such as Khan Academy and other vendor courses) and must pass the district’s advancement assessment to place into the higher course. Staff noted summer advancement does not carry high-school credit or affect GPA ranking; it is a mechanism to accelerate content mastery so a student can access a higher next-year course.

Dual enrollment and new courses: The district reported a substantial expansion of dual-enrollment offerings since two years ago—from zero to 25 dual-enrollment course options—through partners including Brookdale, Stockton, Seton Hall, NJIT, University of Delaware and Kean. Administrators said dual-enrollment courses will run for any enrolled student even if only a single student signs up; students who want the college transcript must complete the partner college’s registration and payment process. The presentation noted that acceptance of dual-enrollment credits depends on receiving colleges’ policies and may vary by institution and major.

AP availability and freshmen: Administrators explained that only two AP options are available to freshmen under current placement rules; the presentation and subsequent discussion named AP Environmental Science and AP Modern World History (AP Modern World History was discussed as "AP Modern World History/AP World" and AP Environmental Science as APES). High school staff said freshmen are not eligible to seek waivers into most AP courses; exceptions are limited to those two AP offerings, and students must meet placement criteria.

Rationale and discussion: District staff and board members traced the changes to data reviews showing cohorts of waived-in students who struggled on standardized assessments, and to teacher feedback that mixed-ability waiver cohorts sometimes slowed course pacing. Supervisors said the adjustments are intended to preserve rigor while allowing documented pathways—such as summer advancement and Option 2—for students who demonstrate readiness.

Communications, supports and next steps: Staff said materials and recorded presentations will be posted to the district website and distributed through principals’ newsletters and placement letters. Parents seeking clarification were told to use the Feb. 14 placement session (recorded and streamed), to contact counselors, or to schedule one-on-one meetings with the administrative team. The presentation materials and placement matrix were scheduled to be released Jan. 31; staff said they will mail placement results the week of May 27 and finalize schedules by the end of the school year.

Ending: Administrators said the placement criteria information session scheduled for Feb. 14 will provide additional details and will be recorded; families were advised to review the program-of-studies document when it posts on Jan. 31 and to follow the placement deadlines noted in the presentation. The board did not take formal votes on the program at the meeting; the presentation was informational and staff instructed families about where and when to submit waivers and summer work.