Morris County School of Technology
Encyclopedia
The Morris County School of Technology (MCVTS or MCST) is a Vocational
Magnet
Public high school located in Denville
, in Morris County
, New Jersey
, United States. This school helps prepare high school students for future careers, through its twelve academies, each focusing on a particular trade as well as an advanced college preparatory program.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 519 students and 58 classroom teachers (on a FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.95.
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
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, such as Johnson and Wales University, New York University
, Cornell University
, Tisch School of the Arts
and Boston College
. Many acquire college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start
on a college education at significant cost savings.
. Students from this academy have been accepted into Johns Hopkins University
, Boston College
, New York University
and other colleges with medical facilities.
because the school is part of Cisco's Academies. Students that enroll in this program work towards becoming CCNA
(Cisco Certified Network Associates) by constant learning and real world scenarios. This academy is very hands-on and interactive. Also, in 11th or 12th grade students can work towards becoming certified as Red Hat Certified Technicians or CompTIA
A+ Certified technicians.
On the other side of the wall there lies the creative aspect of this academy. That section is called Digital Design and Advertising. Students use Macintosh computers to create beautiful, digital works of art. The students use programs such as Adobe Photoshop
, Adobe Illustrator
, QuarkXPress
, Final Cut Pro
, Macromedia Flash and many others. Not only do the students work on graphic design, computer graphics and animation but also work with motion pictures. The digital video course is very extensive and teaches students how to make videos, edit them, add effects, and much more.
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
.
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.
.
Vocational school
A vocational school , providing vocational education, is a school in which students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job...
Magnet
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
Public high school located in Denville
Denville, New Jersey
Denville is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,635. Denville is known as the "Hub of Morris County" for its location along major transportation routes at the center of the county...
, in Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. This school helps prepare high school students for future careers, through its twelve academies, each focusing on a particular trade as well as an advanced college preparatory program.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 519 students and 58 classroom teachers (on a FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.95.
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 2003. 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
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
, by the Council on Occupational Education
Council on Occupational Education
The Council on Occupational Education or is national institutional accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Originally founded in 1971 as a regional accrediting agency of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, COE became a national accrediting agency in 1995...
and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
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, such as Johnson and Wales University, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts is one of the 15 schools that make up New York University ....
and Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
. Many acquire college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
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.Athletics
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.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 an article 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.Mission statement
The Morris County Vocational School District, the source for state-of-the art professional and technical education, will provide all students with academic and technical skills, civic responsibility and exploration in partnerships with business, labor, industry and post-secondary institutions.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, health assessment, 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 take home RealCare babies for a weekend to experience the life as a teenage parent. 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 University of Medicine and Dentistry of New JerseyUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is the state-run health sciences institution of New Jersey, United States. It has eight distinct academic units...
. Students from this academy have been accepted into Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and other colleges with medical facilities.
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 the performing arts aspect of the academy; working on acting, soliloquies, dance and performing. The Multimedia academy focuses on more of a technological aspect, with students working mostly on computers to create movies and graphic art. Students applying to the VPA academy are required to audition for the academy as well as completing the basic admissions process. Some of the performers who have been in the VPA program include comedian Talia Chaves, singer/songwriter Jes Loren, and Weedle.Academy for Child Related Careers
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 Networking, Information Technology and Communications
This academy is divided into two areas; the first side is the technical side where students learn to troubleshoot computers, the Internet and also learn about hardware, software, and the history of the internet. This side is referred to as the Cisco Networking AcademyCisco networking academy
Cisco Networking Academy, a global education initiative from Cisco Systems, offers networking programs, like the CCNA and CCNP courses, which prepare students for the certification exams of the same name, and other computer-related courses...
because the school is part of Cisco's Academies. Students that enroll in this program work towards becoming CCNA
CCNA
CCNA is the certification from Cisco.CCNA certification is a second-level Cisco Career certification...
(Cisco Certified Network Associates) by constant learning and real world scenarios. This academy is very hands-on and interactive. Also, in 11th or 12th grade students can work towards becoming certified as Red Hat Certified Technicians or CompTIA
CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association , a non-profit trade association, was created in 1982 as the Association of Better Computer Dealers, Inc. by representatives of five microcomputer dealerships...
A+ Certified technicians.
On the other side of the wall there lies the creative aspect of this academy. That section is called Digital Design and Advertising. Students use Macintosh computers to create beautiful, digital works of art. The students use programs such as Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of Adobe Photoshop...
, Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. Illustrator is similar in scope, intended market, and functionality to its competitors, CorelDraw, Xara Designer Pro and Macromedia FreeHand....
, QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress is a computer application for creating and editing complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG environment. It runs on Mac OS X and Windows. It was first released by Quark, Inc...
, Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...
, Macromedia Flash and many others. Not only do the students work on graphic design, computer graphics and animation but also work with motion pictures. The digital video course is very extensive and teaches students how to make videos, edit them, add effects, and much more.
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
ServSafe
ServSafe is a food safety training and certificate program administered by the National Restaurant Association. The program is accredited by ANSI and the Conference for Food Protection....
certifications. In grade 12, students can participate in advanced electives, work experience or courses at the County College of Morris
County College of Morris
County College of Morris is a public community college located in Randolph, New Jersey. The college was founded in 1966, and first opened its doors to students in 1968....
.
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
County College of Morris
County College of Morris is a public community college located in Randolph, New Jersey. The college was founded in 1966, and first opened its doors to students in 1968....
, the Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pennsylvania College of Technology, or Penn College, is a public college located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, affiliated with The Pennsylvania State University. As an applied technology college, the school offers certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree programs in more than 100 fields of...
, Johnson Technical Institute, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union which represents workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama and several Caribbean island nations; particularly electricians, or Inside Wiremen, in the construction industry and linemen and other...
, 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 as businessmen and women.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
One of the most prestigious and elite schools in the entire country. This satellite academy of Morris County School of Technology located in Rockaway, NJ 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 over-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 JerseyButler, New Jersey
Butler is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,539.Butler was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 13, 1901, from portions of Pequannock Township.-Geography:Butler is located at...
.