The New College will build on the existing programs by expanding the gifted and talented program through offerings after school and on weekends, and it will build on its current affiliation with 37 secondary schools in which over 1,370 honor students attend Middle College. The state plan encourages universities to provide opportunities for many students to take college course work and acquire college credit while still in high school. A March 1997 survey conducted by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education concluded that the Middle College of Fairleigh Dickinson University has the largest High School-College Program in the state. Fairleigh Dickinson University's Gifted and Talented Program for seventh and eighth grade students is a unique and challenging middle school experience where students take a college level course and receive one college credit upon their successful completion of all requirements of the program. The program consists of eight sessions.
Students meet after school for one day a week for eight consecutive weeks.
The course topic and outline are selected and developed by FDU faculty and the middle school administration. Course material is chosen with the intent of expanding the student' knowledge base furthering their ability to use critical thinking, and exploring technology in the new millennium. Fairleigh Dickinson University faculty provide teaching and academic support. At present, Columbia Middle School in Berkeley Heights and the Fieldstone Middle School in Montvale are participating in the program. This means that there will be a significant increase of mature adults who can benefit from lifelong learning.