General
You must fill out our online application. All on-time and complete applications will be evaluated. Additional questions on the application process can be directed to any one of our school counseling offices.
If you are a resident of Connecticut, it’s free. Technical high schools are funded by the State of Connecticut. However, there are costs associated with tools and uniforms.
Yes. All towns provide transportation to the Technical School serving their region. Check with your local school system for specific information.
During the shop cycle students are required to observe shop dress codes and adhere to recommended safety standards. We do have a uniform policy during the academic cycle that is clearly outlined in our handbook and on our website.
Yes. In addition to receiving instruction, experience and certificates in your trade area, you will also earn a Connecticut High School Academic Diploma.
Yes. Connecticut’s technical high schools are fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Yes, all instructors are certified by the CT State Department of Education.
Admissions & Enrollment
Any eighth-grade student who is a resident of the State of Connecticut who expects to successfully complete eighth grade is eligible to apply for fall admission to ninth grade during the eighth-grade school year.
Any ninth-grade student who is a resident of the State of Connecticut who expects to successfully complete ninth grade with 7 academic credits is eligible to apply for 9th grade and/or fall admission to tenth grade subject to the availability of open seats at a CTECS technical high school. Applicants for entry into tenth grade may be required to satisfy career pathway remediation plans to learn skills that were taught in ninth grade.
Student’s applications may be considered for admission through October 1 of their 10th grade year.
Online applications typically open in November each year and are accepted on a rolling basis. However, early applicants will receive notification of placement in February and have a better chance of securing a seat at a technical high school. Students typically enroll into the 9th grade. However, a limited number of seats may be available for incoming 10th graders.
Visit our admissions webpage for more information.
Yes, Homeschooled students must provide residency verification, health and immunization requirements, and an anticipated entrance grade from the local or regional board of education where the student resides. As with any student applicant, students who are homeschooled may apply for admission to a CTECS technical high school provided all admissions criteria are satisfied.
Students many be considered for a transfer into a technical high school until October 1 of their sophomore year. However, the technical high school must have room available in the trade area of interest.
No, student’s applications may be considered for admission through October 1 of their 10th grade year. CTECS cannot admit new students after this date due to the nature of our trade program requirements for graduation.
Yes, your child has the ability to transfer out of a CTECS school and enroll into their local high school if necessary.
Yes, the school counseling department and school administration encourages students and their parents to schedule a tour of our schools during the school day if they are not able to attend our Open House.
Trades & Academics
Our ninth-grade exploratory program will help you decide. All ninth graders participate in this program, which allows them to spend time working and studying in each of our trade offerings. After completing the exploratory program, ninth graders choose the trade they would like to pursue
All students spend 91 days in their shop and 91 days in academic classes.
Academic class size varies from 20 to 28 students per class depending upon the student’s grade level. However, classes are generally not filled to a maximum level. The trade shop size is generally 18 students.
Students study one (1) trade while attending a technical high school. Ninth-grade students have the opportunity to participate in all of the technical programs offered through the Exploratory Program. This experience allows students to engage in the various career path opportunities before choosing one that will set the framework for their education in grades 10-12.
Yes. Students are offered Spanish.
State mandated standardized tests include:
- PSAT 9-11
- SAT 11
- NGSS 11
- LAS Links (for English Learner students)
Additionally, CTECS mandates senior technology summative assessments to gauge proficiency in the student’s trade area.
CTECS students must meet requirements in attendance, credits, courses, a senior summative assessment, a CTE Senior Portfolio, and Basic Skills requirements in order to earn a CTECS high school diploma. For students graduating in 2020, 2021 and 2022, twenty-nine credits (29) are required for graduation. For students graduating in 2023 and after, thirty-one credits (31) are required for graduation.
View our program of studies for additional information.
Athletics & Extracurricular
Yes! Basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball are just a few of the sports available to male and female students. Club activities include yearbook, newspaper, student council, dance committee, SkillsUSA and National Honor Society.
Career & College
Yes, for each academic subject taught, the curriculum prepares all students who have the desire to continue their education beyond high school to do so. We have an Honors track for those students qualified for this level.
We also offer several opportunities to earn college credit through various partnerships. Learn more about our college career pathways.
Many of our graduates pursue their respective trade upon graduation. Visit our career and technical education program webpages for a list of career pathways by trade area.
Some students choose to attend college, while others may enter the Armed Service, or another line of employment. However, the advantage of a technical education is that students graduate with several options available to them.
Certification will vary based on the trade area. Visit our career and technical education program webpages for a list of certifications earned by trade area.
Absolutely! In fact, many of our graduating seniors go on to further education; many have been accepted at colleges and universities to further study in their technology course or they have chosen other majors such as business, education, criminal justice, nursing, and architecture just to name a few.
Yes, the school has a Worked Based Learning (WBL) program available to 11th and 12th graders. Work-based Learning (WBL) is offered as a way for students in grades 11 and 12 to gain real-world experience, work in teams, solve problems and meet employers’ expectations. It takes place during the school day and students not only receive credit toward their career technology, but they also get paid. Through partnerships with local companies, students work on real projects, gaining hands-on career development experience. To be eligible students must maintain certain academic standards and generally be in good standing at school. Since these experiences sometimes lead to future full time employment, eligible students are encouraged to participate.
CTECS is extremely proud of the many valuable partnerships that we share with local and national businesses, organizations, industry leaders and educational institutions that have been beneficial in providing our students with the best career technical education possible.
Student Support Services
Yes. We have a staff of special Education instructors, who monitor students both during their academic and their shop program. We also have Language Arts Labs, Math Support Labs, an EL instructor and a 504 coordinator.
Yes, there is a Student Assistance Team composed of school counselors, the school nurse, school administrators, a special education instructor, school social worker, school psychologist, and teachers. This team provides assistance to students who are having difficulty in school or at home.
We offer uniform and tool assistance. Please contact the school counseling department for additional information.
Health & Safety
The safety of the students in our care is of the utmost importance. While it is impossible to guarantee that dangerous situations will never happen in and around our schools, we take far-reaching preventive measures. Students teachers, parents, school administrators, local law enforcement, and community members have a role to play in creating a safe and secure environment for everyone.
Here are some of the ways that CTECS schools have engaged in safety and security preparedness efforts:
- We collaborate with our first response community, including the local police departments and CT State Police, on school emergency preparedness.
• We work closely with our school resource officers to help keep our school a safe learning environment for our students.
• Our school security system includes video surveillance cameras that cover the interior and exterior of the building.
• All exterior doors are locked each day. Classroom doors are also kept locked.
•The Safety & Security team meets monthly to discuss issues, brainstorm ideas, make recommendations. Staff receive updates via email and at faculty meetings.
• Our school routinely practice safety drills, in accordance with state regulations, and our committed staff practices these with ongoing diligence. Debriefing meetings are held after each drill or incident.
• We utilize a visitor management system that scans visitors IDs. All visitors are required to have an appointment to enter the school and must wear a visitor ID badge.
• It is mandatory that all staff and students wear ID badges daily.
