Morris County School of Technology

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%.[5]

Morris County School of Technology
Address
400 East Main Street

Denville Township
,
Morris County
,
New Jersey
07834

United States
Coordinates40.8785°N 74.4791°W / 40.8785; -74.4791
Information
TypeVocational Magnet public high school
MottoProud of Our Past Focused on Our Future
Established1969
School districtMorris County Vocational School District
NCES School ID3410720[1]
PrincipalLynne Jackson[2]
Faculty72.5 FTEs[1]
Enrollment750 (as of 2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio10.3:1[1]
Campus size39 acres (16 ha)
Color(s)  Red and
  Black[3]
Athletics conferenceNorthwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Team nameDevils[3]
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[4]
Websitewww.mcvts.org

As of the 2018–19 school year, the school had an enrollment of 750 students and 72.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.3:1. There were 19 students (2.5% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 6 (0.8% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[1]

The district and its schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools.[4]

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".[6][7]

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.[8]

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).[9]

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 Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1989.[4]

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 and Mathematical knowledge. After the entrance exam the prospective students must type an essay on an assigned topic and submit them along with their test. 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.[10] 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 Design

The Academy for Design provides students with the foundational skills required of the various and diverse careers of the creative world; additionally, they will explore a multitude of these opportunities in more depth. The goal of the program are for students to build a well-developed portfolio of their work and to exercise creative thinking and problem solving skills.

Freshman Year Studies: Drawing I, Two-Dimensional Design, Color Theory, Digital Design (Adobe inDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

Sophomore Year Studies Include: Drawing II, Three-Dimensional Design, Digital Photography, Graphic Design Studio (Client Experience)

Junior Year Studies: Spatial Analysis (Architecture/Interior Design), Form Development, Understanding Human Form, Animation, Web Design (Personal Portfolio Sites)

Graduates of the Academy for Design have gone into careers in Graphic Design, Web Design, Video Game Design, Muntimedia 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 share-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 Animal Science

The academy that prepares students to go into animal related careers. The academy has several different species in its animal collection and allows students to become versed in the animal industry through hands-on animal care. It also allows students to independently care for the animal collection and develop independent skills and ethical viewpoints.

Academy for Math, Science and Engineering
Main article: The Academy for Mathematics, 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. As of 2019, Sports Medicine students will attend Roxbury High School.

Athletics

The Morris Tech Devils[3] 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).[11][12] With 656 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group II for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 486 to 758 students in that grade range.[13]

In 2005, the school debuted their first ever sport programs. The sports that were offered were cross country, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, bowling, cheerleading, baseball, softball and golf. As of 2011, the cheerleading program was suspended due to budget cuts.

As of 2018-19 the sports offered include: Fall - Girls and Boys Cross Country, Girls and Boys Soccer, and Girls Volleyball / Winter - Girls and Boys Basketball, and Coed Bowling / Spring- Baseball, Softball, Boys and Girls Golf.[3][14]

References
  1. School data for Morris County School Of Technology, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
  2. School Profile, Morris County School of Technology. Accessed September 16, 2019.
  3. Morris County School of Technology, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  4. Morris County Vocational School District, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed August 27, 2020.
  5. "MCST School Profile 2015-2016" (PDF). mcvts.org. Morris County School of Technology. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  6. Rundquist, Jeanette. "15 N.J. schools named as national 'Blue Ribbon' winners", The Star-Ledger, September 24, 2013. Accessed September 25, 2013. "Five Catholic schools, six county vocational-technical schools and a Yeshiva are among the list of honored schools in New Jersey. Also named as 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools were Dover, Harrison and Wildwood high schools."
  7. 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Private, pp. 15-17. United States Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Accessed September 25, 2013.
  8. Staff. "America's Best High Schools 2016", Newsweek. Accessed November 11, 2016.
  9. New Jersey High School Rankings: 11th Grade HSPA Language Arts Literacy & HSPA Math 2010-2011, Schooldigger.com. Accessed February 23, 2012.
  10. Mcvts.org (PDF) http://www.mcvts.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_197508/File/About%20Us/School%20Profile/MCST%20Profile%202016-2017.pdf. Retrieved December 13, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. Home Page, Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference. Accessed August 27, 2020. "The Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference prides itself on being one of New Jersey's premier high school conferences and is comprised of 39 high schools located in Northwest New Jersey."
  12. League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  13. NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  14. Athletics, Morris County School of Technology. Accessed January 24, 2021.
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