Board of Education: The School District

The Carteret School District is a K-12 district located in Middlesex County, New Jersey off exit 12 of the New Jersey Turnpike. Approximately 21,000 people reside in the 4 square miles that make up Carteret Boro. We are a diverse urban community with a student population of 3,950.

The mission of the Carteret School District is to educate the complete individual and ensure the safety and well-being of all community members. Our schools embrace the challenge of addressing the needs of each child and empower all individuals to pursue their goals within an environment which promotes mutual learning opportunities and respect.

Elementary Schools

Students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five attend one of three elementary schools in the district – Columbus, Pvt. Nicholas Minue, and Nathan Hale. Our Pre-Kindergarten Program is offered for two-and-one-half hour session each day. Students in Kindergarten participate in a full day program. Minue and Nathan Hale Schools house Bilingual Spanish programs and all three elementary schools offer English as a Second Language services.

Columbus and Nathan Hale Schools participate in the Reading First Initiative in kindergarten through third grade utilizing scientifically researched based materials and instructional strategies. Although Minue School is not a recipient of the Reading First Grant, the school follows the same initiative. The district has adopted the standards-based Everyday Mathematics Program.

The elementary school curriculum offerings include ninety minutes of Language Arts Literacy instruction and sixty minutes of Mathematics on a daily basis. Students also receive instruction in Science, Social Studies, Health & Physical Education, Music, Art, Computers, World Language (Spanish), and Character Education.

Carteret Middle School

Students in grades six, seven and eight are provided with numerous active learning opportunities in academics, electives, and extra-curricula that help develop positive physical, social, and emotional development for each individual student.

The Carteret Middle School provides a full range of academic programs for its students including self-contained classes, bilingual and ESL programs, in-class support and resource centers, a full service library media center, computer lab and and band . Remedial students in sixth-grade Mathematics use the program Everyday Mathematics, while seventh-grade remedial Language Arts students use Scholastic’s Read 180 and Reading Counts. Additionally, accelerated classes in both Math and Language Arts are offered to all three grade levels for students who meet pre-established criteria.

The middle school’s extra-curricula offer opportunities in sports and after-school clubs for all students. Some of these include fall and spring track, basketball and wrestling, the Green Team, (school beautification club), Math Olympiad (International Math contests), International Club (promotes positive ethnic diversity amongst students), Student Council (community and school service programs), National Junior Honor Society (high academic achievement recognition), and peer tutoring. The Family School Organization (parent group) sponsors additional activities for students throughout the year including dances and book fairs.

Continued emphasis is placed on raising academic achievement especially in the areas of Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics. To help meet our school objectives on the Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment (GEPA) and district test Terra Nova, all students are regularly assessed and instructed within each course using the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Eighty minutes of class instruction are offered to all students in sixth through eighth-grade in Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics. Appropriate computer Language Arts and Math programs are also used as supplements to class preparation. After-school test prep classes are offered to eighth-graders in Language Arts, Mathematics and Science.

The Carteret Arts & Sports Academy is an after school program for Carteret Middle School students. It is a free program and will be housed inside the Carteret Middle School. The program offers a wide range of academic enrichment, sports and arts activities, field trips, special guest artist presentations and family educational support services.

Carteret High School

Carteret High School offers the student body a variety of programs designed to satisfy their learning needs and their particular interests. The staff of approximately 100 highly trained professional and paraprofessionals provides learning centers and utilize multiple teaching strategies to create educational opportunities and experiences that are second to none.

The expanded curriculum offers opportunities that not only meet mandated requirements, but also allows students to take advantage of an accelerated academic program. Students wishing to acquire meaningful hands-on experience can take a variety of technical and computer offerings. Advanced offering in the area of Mathematics, Science, and World Language now have become commonplace since articulation has taken place between the high school and the middle school. Advanced Placement courses have been developed in Chemistry, Calculus, American History, Spanish, as well as English. The Project Acceleration Program has allowed students to receive college credit from Seton Hall University and over 200 respected universities. Students may also attend Middlesex County College for college credit if their schedule allows for it. At-risk students may enroll in programs regarding Self-Esteem and Anger Management.

The student life consists of a multitude of clubs, organizations, activities, and sports programs. Involvement in these activities lends itself to the development of pride in the school and a sense of ownership by the student body. It is the belief of the administration and staff that involvement in these activities goes a long way towards the development of a student’s character. Participation in all extra-curricular activities depends upon compliance with school discipline and attendance policies.

A Carteret High School graduate will be well-equipped to compete on a level playing field with graduates from other communities. Our top students compete nationally for recognition in the areas of Mathematics, Science and Technology. We take extreme pride in the accomplishments of our graduates who have gone on to excel in the fields of their choice.

Progress Reports/Report Cards and Parent/Teacher Conferences

Progress Reports are issued once per marking period while report cards are issued four times per year. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled once a year (early December) in each school to keep parents informed of their child's progress. Back to School Night is scheduled during September for all elementary schools so that parents have the opportunity to meet the staff and to learn about curricula offerings.

Student Personnel Services

Each elementary school has one full-time Guidance Counselor, while the middle and high schools have one full-time Guidance Counselor per grade level. Guidance Counselors enhance the academic process by conducting lessons in the affective areas and assisting students in decisions regarding course selections, post-graduate studies and career planning.

Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) committees are positioned in each school to assist in identifying and providing further support services to students and whose educational performance or behavior negatively affects their academic, social, or emotional growth or physical well-being. I&RS committees rely heavily on parental participation in order to develop, implement, and sustain an effective plan.

Special Education

It is the district’s goal to provide a free, appropriate public education for all students with disabilities, ages three and twenty-one. Provision is made for the participation of students who are placed by their parents in a nonpublic school as well as students who are placed in specialized schools by the district. Click to view more information regarding Special Education.

Child Find

The Carteret Public Schools provides a free, appropriate public education for all students with disabilities, ages three through twenty-one, residing in the district, including students with disabilities enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools.

Infants and Toddlers (Birth to Three) – New Jersey’s Early Intervention System provides services for infants and toddlers(from birth to the child’s third birthday) who have developmental delays or disabilities as well as support for their families.

If you are concerned your infant or toddler is developing or learning differently, you can call Middlesex Special Child Health Services at 732-745-3180 or 3187.
If you are concerned your preschool child, ages three through five, is developing differently, you can call the district Department of Special Services at 732-541-8960. A member of the preschool child study team will respond to your concerns.
If you are concerned your student, ages six through twenty-one is developing or learning differently, you can contact the principal of the school in which your child is enrolled. The school Identification and Referral Services Committee will respond to your concerns. Your child may be referred to the Identification and Referral Services Committee, formerly known as Pupil Assistance Committee. Parents may also submit a written request for evaluation by the child study team.
Students with disabilities enrolled by their parents in nonpublic schools receive services through the Middlesex County Educational Services Commission. You may contact the Middlesex County Educational Services Commission at 732-777-9848.

Evening School for the Foreign Born

The Carteret Public School District offers a program to foreign-born adults who are interested in learning the English language and reading skills while studying American govement and citizenship requirements. For more information please contact Mrs. Kristine Christie via email kchristie@carteretschools.org.