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Career Pathways

Career Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) 

Worcester Public Schools hosts numerous career/vocational technical education programs (approved Chapter 74 and non-approved Chapter 74) for high school students. Additionally, WPS offers adult evening career technical education/workforce development programs through Night Life.

Admissions Timeline

The timeline to apply for Chapter 74 career/vocational technical education (CVTE) programs for Worcester Technical High School, Doherty Memorial High School, North High School, and South High Community School, is as follows:

  • January 2-March 28, 2024: Applications Accepted
  • Wednesday, April 10, 2024: Lottery Held
  • Thursday, April 11, 2024, by 8:00 AM: Lottery Results Posted Online

Overview

Worcester Technical High School

Worcester Technical High School hosts 23 career technical education programs, which are all Chapter 74-approved. These trades include advanced manufacturing, auto technology, robotics, welding, graphic communication, hospitality management, veterinary assisting, early childhood, and several others.

At Worcester Tech, students spend one week in their career trade program for the entire school day, and the following week in academics.

Worcester Tech Admissions Process: Worcester Tech has an annual tiered lottery admissions process for incoming ninth-grade students. Once a student is enrolled, they go through “Freshman Exploratory” in which they spend time in different career technical programs before selecting one for their four years of high school.

CVTE Programs at Doherty, North, and South high schools

Doherty, North, and South high schools each host a select number of career technical education programs (Chapter 74-approved). There is an annual lottery admission process for incoming ninth-grade students. Students will receive information from their schools in eighth grade on how to participate in the admissions lottery. (Please note: Currently, the lottery admission process for Ch. 74 programs at Doherty, North, and South is separate from Worcester Tech’s lottery.)

Admissions Process for Comprehensive High Schools for 2024-25: If an incoming ninth-grade student is interested in participating in a Chapter 74 CVTE program at Doherty, North, or South high schools, they apply directly for the CVTE program they desire. Students are then selected through a tiered lottery admissions process. If they are accepted into the CVTE program, they are also accepted into the school hosting that program.

Apply through this form for the CVTE programs at Doherty, North, and South. Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be accepted from January 23-March 28, 2024. For answers to your questions, please email Julieanne Gamache, Director of CVTE.

Doherty, North, and South high schools also host “non-Chapter 74 approved” career technical education programs, which are elective courses in career trades. Students can choose these courses during the class scheduling process.

Extended Day Innovation Career Pathways

High school students can enroll in the Innovation Career Pathway programs that are held in the afternoons at Worcester Technical High School


Ch. 74 Program Listings


Frequently Asked Questions About Ch. 74 Programs

  • Will transportation be provided if the CTE program is not at my home high school?
    • Bussing will be provided to any student who lives more than 2 miles from the high school they will be attending (once placement into a CTE program is confirmed)
  • How many programs can I apply to?
    • A student can apply to as many programs as they are interested in. Remember there are 2 applications: 1 for Worcester Tech and 1 for Doherty, North, and South high schools.
  • What if my primary language is not English?
    • All applications will be available translated into your primary language.

 


Non-Ch. 74 Program Listings


Innovation Career Pathways Program Listing

The Innovation Career Pathways was developed to help expand career field exploration through technical education within Worcester Public Schools. Read more about Innovation Career Pathways