The Morris County School of Technology (MCVTS or MCST) is a vocational magnet public high school located in Denville Township, in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Morris County Vocational School District. This school prepares high school students for future careers, through its academy programs, each focusing on a particular trade as well as an advanced college preparatory program. Students apply to one of the 13 different academies in a process that starts the 8th grade year of local students. The highly competitive process begins with a general admissions test and is followed by group interviews on an academy basis. The school has an overall acceptance rate of 30 percent.
As of the 2016-17 school year, the school had an enrollment of 714 students and 35.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 20:1. There were 44 students (6.7% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 18 (2.8% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.
Awards, recognition and rankings
In September 2013, the school was one of 15 in New Jersey to be recognized by the United States Department of Education as part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, an award called the "most prestigious honor in the United States' education system" and which Education Secretary Arne Duncan described as schools that "represent examples of educational excellence".
In its listing of "America's Best High Schools 2016", the school was ranked 158th out of 500 best high schools in the country; it was ranked 27th among all high schools in New Jersey.
Schooldigger.com ranked the school 25th out of 381 public high schools statewide in its 2011 rankings (a decrease of 9 positions from the 2010 ranking) which were based on the combined percentage of students classified as proficient or above proficient on the mathematics (95.7%) and language arts literacy (98.8%) components of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).
History
The school started as a share time and adult program in 1969 and has now evolved into a full-time technical high school as well as one of the more respected schools in the Morris County area. The school still has share time students and adult programs although it will slowly start to dissolve the share time program to accommodate more kids in the full-time academies. The first year that this school started its full-time program was in 2004. 2007 marks the year that the school will finally have their first full-time graduate students. This initial group was only about 35 students and now the school has grown to serve over 400 students.
The school's adult education program includes all the academies that students can choose and the program is usually at night. The school is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education, by the Council on Occupational Education and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools since 1989.
Academy graduates will qualify for post-secondary education at the college level, gain admission to technical schools, or be ready for entry-level employment. Graduates of MCST have gone on to schools related to their academies. Many acquire college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start on a college education at significant cost savings.
Admissions
The Morris County School of Technology has a rigorous admissions process that makes it one of the most difficult schools to get into in the Morris County area. Before being able to begin the admissions process the prospective student must have teacher recommendation forms filled out by the core academic classes at his/her middle school and also present their 7th grade report card and New Jersey Standardized Test Scores or private school equivalents by November. Once these forms are sent in the student takes a two-hour entrance exam testing the student on their English, Mathematical, Scientific and Historical knowledge. After the entrance exam the prospective students write an essay on an assigned topic and hand them in to their proctor. If the student passes the entrance exam he/she moves onto the interview phase of the admissions process. The interview portion of the process consists of the student sitting with a member of the admissions department and answering questions regarding the student's goals for the future and reasons for applying to MCST. After the interview all of the factors are taken into consideration and it is decided whether or not the student is admitted. If the student has scored well on the essay and exam, has good grades and recommendations and did well in the interview a letter and package with the student handbook and course catalog is sent to them by February.
A new type of Vo-Tech
Morris County School of Technology offers a vocational education program that is more closely related to college preparatory schools than it is to the traditional vocational school. With intense admissions practices and difficult courses New Jersey Vocational Schools are becoming some of the more elite schools in the country. As mentioned in The New York Times, these schools are slowly transforming into elite college prep schools rather than the vocational schools of yore. Instead of attracting students who would not be able to get into colleges and are seeking to learn vocational skills the schools are attracting the brightest students in their respective districts and sending them to quality institutions of higher learning throughout the country.
Full-time academies
Academy for Health Care Sciences
The Academy of Health Care Sciences prepares students for the field of medicine. Throughout the years, students take classes in dynamics of health care, medical terminology, clinical practicum, clinical research, nutrition, medical math, anatomy and physiology I & II, along with other important classes related to their field. Students participate in lab dissections such as a sheep's heart during their freshman year, a fetal pig during their sophomore year, and a cat during their junior year. Sophomore year, students have the chance to volunteer and help teach students with Cerebral palsy. Junior year, part of the curriculum entails clinical experience by having the chance to interact with patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Also, in certain subjects, students have the chance to earn college credits from Rutgers University after passing the requisite tests. Students from the healthcare academy have a high percent matriculate to the top schools in the nation with recent graduates being accepted to Boston College, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University. Several students a year also matriculate to the Ivy League, recently including Harvard University, Princeton University, Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania. A number of other students choose to attend 7 or 8 year dental programs as well as 7 to 8 year medical programs.
Academy for Visual and Performing Arts
This academy prepares students for a career in the performing arts fields. Students can major in either Dance or Multimedia. The Dance major students focus on modern and ballet technique. The Multimedia academy focuses on technological art, with students working mostly on computers to create movies and graphic art. Students minor in Theatre Arts where they focus on all aspects of performing and backstage work. Students act, learn about stage/house managing, directing, lighting, sound, etc. Students interact with professional guest artists currently working in the field and are able to see productions in New York City. Students applying to the VPA academy are required to audition for the academy as well as completing the basic admissions process.
Academy for Education and Learning
This academy is designed to provide first-hand experience for its students who would like to work with children upon graduation. Students get the opportunity to observe and to teach a class of preschool-aged children each class. They are required to do a year-long child study and to eventually teach an individual day among other projects.
Academy for Computer Science
In this academy, students learn about Java. Students that enroll in this course study Java for the first three years. Twelfth grade students are free to choose from a variety of projects, including but not limited to robotics and computer programming. At the end of this course, students are eligible to take the AP computer science exam.
Academy for Digital Design
The academy for Digital Design provides students with a foundation in careers in art, film, 2D and 3D design, advertising, marketing, web design, illustration, multimedia, public relations, special effects and animation. The course focuses on a single subject each year and provides students with a free, creative workspace.
In freshman year, design students learn foundational design concepts, focusing on software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Animate. In sophomore year, students focus on the moving image, learning 2D and 3D design along with video editing using programs such as Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, and Adobe After Effects. Junior year students study media theories and practices, visual language, web design, and logo design. Senior year provides the option to take courses at the County College of Morris, or to participate in an advanced portfolio construction course.
Students in the Academy for Design are assigned projects which effectively employ the aspect of design that they are studying. This provides students with a space to grow creatively, giving them a free and beneficial workspace. Design graduates have pursued occupations in graphic design, web design, video game design, multimedia studies, video production, advertising, and marketing.
Academy for Culinary Arts
The school of Culinary Arts is a full-time, four-year high school program for students entering the ninth grade. The course of studies is designed in a sequential pattern which will prepare the students for entry into technical fields in various areas of the culinary arts industry.
Studies are concentrated in the areas of: Equipment Use and Care, Fundamentals of Food Preparation, Nutrition, Baking, Table Service, Regional and International Cuisine, and Restaurant Management.
In the 9th grade students begin with basics such as knife skills, fundamentals of food preparation and workspace organization. In grades 10 and 11, students will have the opportunity to concentrate interest and talents into their career path and earn ServSafe certifications. In grade 12, students can participate in advanced electives, work experience or courses at the County College of Morris.
Academy for Construction Arts
The academy is a full-time program of studies offering students both technical and academic subjects. As in a local high school, students enrolled in the academy must take a full range of college prep academic subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, world Languages and Health and Physical Education.
Students in this academy have many career pathways. these include: carpenter, plumber, electrician, telecommunications technician, engineer, designer, architect, furniture maker, inspector, metal fabricator, and installer. The Morris County School of Technology has collaborative partners for this academy; these partners are the County College of Morris, the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Johnson Technical Institute, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the District Council of Northern New Jersey Ironworkers.
Academy for Finance and International Business
An academy that teaches students the essentials of the business world, this academy prepares students for careers in finances and business. Students are groomed to be CEOs and bankers through classes teaching law, business ethics and other essential topics for a successful career in the businessmen world.
Academy for Veterinary Science
The academy that prepares students to be veterinarians and other animal-related careers. Students get hands-on experience with animals and can learn to properly treat various types of animals. Veterinary Science students emerge from high school ready for college and eventually the veterinary industry.
Academy for Math, Science and Engineering
The Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, a satellite academy of Morris County School of Technology located in Rockaway, New Jersey, has the highest combined SAT scores in the country and is one of the most difficult high schools to get into in the country. On average over a thousand middle school students apply to the Math, Science and Engineering Academy and only 7% are accepted. The school only accepts multiples of 22/23 and only if 44/46 people meet the demanding qualifications for the school, making it an incredibly difficult school to get into. AP classes are mandatory, and students take advanced classes such as Trigonometry and Physics freshman year.
Academy for Law and Public Safety
The Academy for Law and Public Safety prepares students for careers as lawyers and other law related fields. This academy is a satellite academy located in Butler, New Jersey on the campus of Butler High School. As of 2015, Law and Public Safety has moved to the Denville Campus
Academy for Sports Medicine
Started in 2014, this program focuses on teaching students about physiology and exercise sciences, preparing them for work as physical trainers or medical professionals in athletics.
Athletics
The Morris Tech Devils compete in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference, following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). With 608 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2015-16 school year as North II, Group II for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 508 to 770 students in that grade range.
In 2005, the school debuted their first ever sport programs. The sports that were started were Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Baseball, Softball, and Golf. As of 2011, Cheerleading is no longer offered due to budget cuts. The school's Athletic Director is Neil Torino.
References
External links
- Morris County School of Technology Website
- Six students injured in a science experiment
- Promotional School Video
- Health Care Academy Trip