Graduates of the NCC VoTech programs are uniquely prepared to meet both the demands of today's competitive job market and the challenges of tomorrow's workplace.

All schools should provide a safe and caring environment built upon mutual respect and positive interpersonal relationships. Instruction should be integrated and applied with high standards and expectations through the combined efforts of career instructors, academic instructors, and support staff.

Meaningful community involvement and business partnerships are essential to the development of quality schools. Vocational-technical education provides students with unique opportunities and experiences to be successful at the post-secondary level and in the workplace. Parents and guardians should support learning as a high priority and positively reinforce their children's efforts. Maintaining quality schools is essential to satisfying the changing needs and interests of our community.

The VoTech Choice

Each year, one-fourth of all eighth-grade students attending New Castle County public schools apply for admission to a VoTech high school. Students who are accepted begin in a ninth grade exploratory program, which exposes them to career options before they elect a specific course of study. They can choose to study one of 42 different careers in one of six clusters:

Business, Communications, and Computers
Construction Technologies
Health Services
Public and Consumer Services
Science, Energy, and Drafting Technologies
Transportation

During their four years, students are exposed to nearly 1500 hours of specialized skills and technical training in their chosen career program in addition to the full academic course load required to earn a high school diploma.

An important component of the VoTech instruction is school-day, work-based training opportunities. As students become more proficient with their technical skills, they are given opportunities to work in local businesses to apply what they have learned in the classroom to the workplace. The school district has partnerships with hundreds of companies - both large and small - that provide training sites for student internship, job shadowing, mentoring, paid practicum, and co-operative employment experiences.

A Comprehensive Education

More than 3,500 students currently attend either Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Delcastle Technical High School in Newport, Hodgson VoTech High School in Glasgow, or St. Georges Technical High School in Middletown- the schools of the NCC VoTech School District.

Each school has adopted an "integrated curriculum" approach to planning lessons. Academic and technical teachers coordinate instruction. Each school also provides a full range of extra-curricular activities including athletics, student government, honor society, school newspaper, drama, yearbook, and other national student organizations. Through their participation, students develop communication, leadership, and social skills.

The VoTech schools also offer a model special education program designed to help students achieve academic success and acquire necessary skills for employment.

College Bound

Nearly 40% of NCC VoTech graduates attend post-secondary institutions full-time, and another 17% continue their education part-time. The skills students acquire through their dual academic/career curriculum can help them earn money while attending college. All four high schools offer a full range of academic courses allowing students to meet college entry requirements.

Beyond the Diploma

Graduates of NCC VoTech high schools have opportunities to receive a diploma as well as a career competency certificate. Students who successfully complete all academic and technical courses listed in their career program of study will be awarded an Exemplary (gold seal), Proficient (silver seal), or Limited (bronze seal) certificate upon graduation. Students use the certificates, which detail specific competency skills they have mastered, when interviewing for jobs.

Adult Education Division

The NCC VoTech School District operates an extensive Adult Education Program for persons interested in retraining, advancement, continuing education, or completing their high school requirements.

Part-time and evening courses are offered for students in academic, apprenticeship training, certification, and trade extension programs. The school district also develops customized training courses for individual companies that wish to train their own specific employee groups. Training is offered at either company sites or VoTech school facilities.

For more information on Adult Programs, call 302-683-3643. For information on Apprenticeship Programs, call 302-683-3651.

35+ Years of Success

The New Castle County Vocational Technical School District has offered smart educational students for more than 35 years. The district's history of success and progressive vision make it a leader in this new era of educational change.

Students from a broad range of backgrounds each year choose a VoTech education over their traditional high school. Our quality teachers have high standards and expectations for all students. Success is measured by school, student, and staff performance.

Our state-of-the-art facilities, use of technology in the classroom, and focused curriculum all create a learning environment that supports achievement. Our pace-setting high schools are, according to the New York Times, "...training centers capable of producing workers who can compete in a global, high tech economy."

The New Castle County VoTech Experience

A guiding principle in all VoTech instruction is to teach students to be prepared to accept new ideas, learn new skills, and embrace new technology - lessons that will lead them well into the 21st century. A VoTech education translates into better and high paying jobs, and an educational and career pathway to the future.

For more information on the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District: