Thank you for your interest in The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS)!

Applications for fall 2025 entrance are now open. The priority application deadline is January 15, 2025. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before this date. Please read the information on this webpage before starting your application below.

 

What type of student finds success at CTECS?

Student writing on clipboard

  • Genuine interest in pursuing the trades

  • Motivated to excel in academics

  • Hands-on learning preference

  • Good school attendance history

  • Demonstrated ability to follow rules and safety protocols

  • Self-motivated and goal-oriented

  • Strong work ethic

  • Curiosity in how things work

  • Flexible and adaptable

  • Like being part of a team

Application Information

Students who are interested in a trade education.

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. 

Any ninth-grade student who lives in Connecticut and expects to finish this school year with 7 academic credits can apply for possible entry to ninth grade (mid-year transfer this school year) or tenth-grade transfer (enter next fall) at a CTECS technical high school. Admission is dependent on space available at the school and in the desired trade program, and is not guaranteed. Students applying for tenth grade may need to complete extra coursework to catch up on trade skills taught in ninth grade. 

Grade 10 or 11 students can apply to Bristol Technical Education Center, located in Bristol, CT, for a 1 or 2-year trade-only program. Academics are completed at the student’s sending high school. 

Adult learners/postgraduates can apply to Bristol Technical Education Center, located in Bristol, CT, for a 1 or 2-year trade-only program; evening adult apprenticeship/extension courses (see webpage for registration timelines(opens in a new tab)); or CT Aero Tech(opens in a new tab) or Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians(opens in a new tab) (see webpages for application timeline).

1. Let your school counselor (if none, another school official) know you are going to apply.  

  • They will receive an email from the CTECS school district requesting information.
  • You will need their correct email address to enter into the application.

2. Review the website of the school(opens in a new tab) you want to apply for.

  • Confirm you are in their regional area and are eligible for free bus transportation to the CTECS school.  You can do this by calling your sending town’s school transportation department.

3. Review the trade(s)(opens in a new tab) you are interested in and learn about them, including course descriptions and prospective jobs.  Be sure the trade you are interested in is offered at the school you are applying to by reviewing the program locations.

4. Film your interest video or write your interest statement.

  • This component is a requirement and must be created independently by the student. Both options are equally acceptable, and choosing one over the other does not provide any advantage.
  • The interest video must be between 1-3 minutes in length. The interest statement must be under 800 characters. 
  • Both the video and letter will be uploaded when filling out the application. Upload your video to any public video hosting website such as YouTube, Personal Google Drive (Do Not use a school account), or Vimeo. Type, or copy and paste, the written statement of interest’s text into the correct section of the application.
  • Respond to the following questions in your video or written statement:
    • Why are you interested in attending a technical high school? 
    • Do you have a desire to learn a trade?
    • Which trade are you most interested in, and why? 
    • What are your long-term goals connected with your trade education? What do you want to do after graduation from CTECS?

5. Once you complete your application you must hit “submit” or your application will not be considered.

November 15, 2024 – Applications open

January 15, 2025 – Priority application deadline

February 1, 2025 – Admission offers sent to accepted applicants

February 15, 2025 – Parents must notify CTECS if they accept or decline the offer

April 15, 2025 – Second-round application deadline

April 20, 2025 – Second-round admission offers sent to accepted applicants

May 1, 2025 – Parents must notify CTECS if they accept or decline second-round offers

April 20 – October 1, 2025 – Waitlist period; if seats open, waitlisted applicants will be notified in order

Ready to Apply? Let’s Get Started!

Select the button that best describes you to begin the right application process.

Troubleshooting Application Errors

If you encounter error messages while submitting your child’s application, please follow these steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Clear Cookies and Cache: Clear your computer or smartphone’s cookies and cache.
  2. Close Multiple Windows: Ensure only one browser window or tab is open. Close any additional windows or tabs.
  3. Complete One Application at a Time: Work on and submit only one application at a time.
  4. Use Built-In Navigation Buttons: Use the application’s forward and back buttons to navigate. Avoid using your browser’s back arrow.

If you continue to experience issues after trying these steps:

  1. Take a screenshot of the error message.
  2. Email the screenshot to Admissions@cttech.org and include:
    • The applicant’s full name
    • Date of birth
    • A description of where in the application process the error occurred

Our team will review your submission and get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Questions for a specific school or about the application process? Please contact:

School Phone Director Ext
Abbott 203-797-4460 Shelley Visinski 12453
Bristol 860-584-8433 Domenica Holman  28335
Bullard 203-579-6333 Tracy Ganino 11487
Cheney 860-649-5396 Rafael Calixto 16316
Ellis 860-412-7500 Martha Rainey 13570
Goodwin 860-827-7736 Ericka Torres 19318
Grasso 860-441-0312 Sheila Bedard 27312
Kaynor 203-578-8714 Jessica Nagy 8714
Norwich 860-892-2113 Virginia D. Messina 2113
O’Brien 203-732-1815 Amy Carvalho 1815
Platt 203-783-5317 Michele Haramis 26317
Prince 860-257-5123 Lisa Higgins 15123
Vinal 860-344-7100 Kaitlyn Demas 18436
Whitney 203-397-4031 Jeanne Willinsky 14898
Wilcox 203-317-5969 Michelle DellaVecchia 5969
Windham 860-456-3879 Laura Jones 24314
Wolcott 860-469-5364 Ruth Simoncelli 22364
Wright 203-674-5840 Madrine Clennon-Straker 5840

Download Information

Schools of Choice Rights to Full Access in Recruiting

CTECS Admissions Process Fact Sheet

CTECS Admission Action Plan Draft

Statement Regarding Inclusive Enrollment: CTECS is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination. CTECS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law in any employment practice or educational program or activity, including admissions and vocational opportunities. The persons designated to coordinate compliance with this policy are: Levy Gillespie, State Department of Education, 450 Columbus Ave, Hartford CT 06103, 860-807-2071 or Linda Leyhow, CTECS, 39 Woodland St, Hartford, CT 06105, 860-807-2212.

McKinney-Vento Act Protection for Homeless Students: Federal legislation (McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act ) requires schools to remove barriers to the enrollment and retention in school of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Such students have the right to remain at his or her school of origin or to attend any school that housed students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living. Such students also have a right to several services including transportation and lunch. Each school has a person responsible for service to homeless students.