Worcester Public Schools (WPS) provides a wide range of career technical education (CTE) programs for high school and adult students.

With more than 30 programs (approved Chapter 74 and non-approved Chapter 74) available, CTE equips scholars with specific skills and practical knowledge that directly prepares them for employment in various trades and professions, which enhances their employability and contributes to economic growth.

Students are admitted via a tiered lottery process.

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Worcester Technical High School (Worcester Tech) hosts 23 career technical education (CTE) 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 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. (Read the tiered lottery admissions policy.)

This is the admissions schedule for students applying to enroll as ninth-graders in Chapter 74 career technical education (CTE) programs, including admission to Worcester Technical High School, for the 2026-27 school year

• November 1, 2025-February 13, 2026: Applications Accepted

• February 13, 2026: Application Period Closes

• Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Lottery Held

• Lottery results are shared with families immediately after drawing and will be posed on the schools' websites by Friday, March 13, 2026.

Doherty, North, and South high schools each host a select number of career technical education (CTE) programs that are 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.

• The lottery admission process for Ch. 74 programs at Doherty, North, and South is separate from Worcester Technical High School.

• If an incoming ninth-grade student is interested in participating in a Chapter 74 CTE program at Doherty, North, or South high schools, they apply directly for the CTE program they desire. (This is different from the Worcester Technical High School process, in which a student applies for admission to the school, and then chooses a program after beginning the ninth grade.)

• Students are selected through a tiered lottery admissions process.

• If the student is accepted into the CTE program, they are also accepted into the school hosting that program.

This is the admissions schedule for students applying to enroll as ninth-graders in Chapter 74 career technical education (CTE) programs, including those at Doherty, North, and South high schools, for the 2026-27 school year.

• November 1, 2025-February 13, 2026: Applications Accepted

• February 13, 2026: Application Period Closes

• Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Lottery Held

• Lottery results are shared with families immediately after drawing and will be posed on the schools' websites by Friday, March 13, 2026.

View the Career Technical Education (CTE) Admissions Policy

Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) is an extended day career technical education program for WPS high school students who are not enrolled in a Ch. 74 CTE program. The program is held from 2:30-5:15 PM weekdays at Worcester Technical High School, 1 Officer Manny Familia Way. Students typically attend twice a week. Students are admitted through the tiered lottery admissions process.

Innovation Career Pathways program listings for 2024-25:

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Allied Health

• Business, Finance and Marketing

• Construction & Related Engineering

• Computer Science

• Information Technology

• Biotechnology

Located at Worcester Technical High School at 1 Officer Manny Familia Way, Night Life hosts career technical education/workforce development programs in various trades (i.e. automotive, plumbing, construction), along with hobby courses (i.e. yoga, knitting, arts). Visit the Night Life website for information on courses and registration.

The WPS College and Career Readiness Office oversees career technical education programming at the comprehensive high schools (Doherty, North, South), and works in collaboration with Worcester Tech. It also oversees the Innovation Career Pathways extended day program at Worcester Tech, the adult evening Night Life program, and the Adult Learning Center. Additionally, the office oversees Early College Worcester and Advanced Placement programming.