Worcester Technical High School

Summary

Worcester Technical High School (WTHS) is a vocational-technical high school, part of Worcester Public Schools district in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. It opened on August 28, 2006, replacing the old Worcester Vocational High School (formerly known as Worcester Boys' Trade High School from 1909 to about 1975) at 2 Grove Street. The school was also known for a period as Worcester Vocational Technical High School (WVTHS) beginning around 1975. When the David Hale Fanning Trade School (commonly called "Girls' Trade" or DHFTS) in Worcester closed its Chatham Street premises some years later, the curriculum, staff and student body transferred to WVTHS. Since many new non-technical areas of study were added by the merging of the two schools, the word "Technical" was dropped from the school's name.

Worcester Technical High School[2]
Worcester Technical High School
Location
Map
1 Officer Manny Familia Way
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605

United States
Coordinates42°16′36″N 71°46′41″W / 42.27667°N 71.77806°W / 42.27667; -71.77806
Information
TypePublic
Vocational school
Open enrollment[1]
MottoThe School That Works
Establishedc. 1908
School districtWorcester Public Schools
CEEB code222550
PrincipalDrew Weymouth
Faculty130.35 (FTE)[3]
Grades9 to 12
Enrollment1,426 (2018–19)[3]
Student to teacher ratio10.94[3]
Color(s)Royal blue, silver and white
   
Athletics conferenceColonial Athletic League,
SportsCross country, field hockey, American football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, track, golf
MascotEagle
NicknameVoke, Tech High, Worcester Tech
Team nameEagles
Websitehttps://www.techhigh.us

When the school moved to Green Hill, the name was once again changed to its current title of Worcester Technical High School. With this move also came the change of the school mascot, going from the Bulldogs to the Eagles. There are many different rumors as to why this happened seeing as how the Bulldog was very closely associated with Worcester Tech for many years.

Worcester Technical High School has 22 different trades from which students can choose, from the 4 different Academies – Alden Design and Engineering (Alden), Allied Health and Human Services (A.H./service), Coghlin Construction Academy (construction), Information Technology and Business Service (I.T.)

In 2013, then-principal Sheila Harrity was named National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Kyle Brenner replaced Harrity as Principal in 2014, and he relieved this position in 2020. The school's current acting principal is Siobahn Petrella, who once served as an assistant principal.[4]

In 2014, President Barack Obama gave a speech for the school's Commencement Ceremony.[5][6]

Students run a restaurant, salon, automotive service center, bank, and preschool, as well as a veterinary clinic in partnership with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

Academics edit

Students attend academic classes for half the time, and technical classes the other half the time.

Advanced Placement edit

Technical Areas edit

Worcester Tech offers 22 trade specialties grouped into 4 academies.

Alden Design and Engineering edit

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Auto-Collision
  • Auto-Tech
  • Drafting
  • Robotics
  • Welding

Allied Health and Human Services edit

  • Allied Health
  • Animal Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Cosmetology
  • Early Education and Care
  • Environmental Science

Coghlin Construction Technology edit

  • Carpentry
  • Electrical
  • HVAC/R
  • Painting and Design
  • Plumbing and Pipe Fitting

Information Technology & Business Services edit

  • Culinary Arts
  • Finance and Marketing
  • Graphic Communications
  • Hospitality Management
  • Information Support Services & Networking (ISS&N)
  • Programming and Web Development

Athletics edit

Varsity sports
Season Boys Girls
Fall football, golf, cross country, crew, soccer field hockey, volleyball, crew, soccer, cheerleading
Winter basketball, ice hockey, swimming, indoor track and field, wrestling, skiing basketball, ice hockey, swimming, indoor track and field, gymnastics, skiing, cheerleading
Spring baseball, lacrosse, tennis, crew, outdoor track and field softball, lacrosse, tennis, crew, outdoor track and field

Notable alumni edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - Error Page" (PDF). www.doe.mass.edu.
  2. ^ "Worcester Technical High School". Worcester Public Schools. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  3. ^ a b c "Worcester Technical High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "Our Staff". Worcester Technical High School. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  5. ^ "President Obama Gives the Commencement Address at Worcester Tech in Massachusetts". whitehouse.gov. 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  6. ^ LaPlaca, Debbie. "Worcester Tech principal accepts post at Bay Path Tech". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 2022-02-17.

External links edit

  • Worcester Technical High School official site.
  • Machining – Worcester Gets Manufacturing Education Right
  • Worcester Telegram & Gazette – Thursday, November 9, 2006 – Vocation students get edge in trades – Unions ease apprentice entry rules
  • Massachusetts Department of Education – Worcester Technical High