Delcastle Technical High School

Delcastle Technical High School
Established	1970
Type	Vocational-Technical Secondary
Students	1,532
Grades	09–12
Location	Wilmington, Delaware, USA
District	New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
Campus	Suburban (outside of Wilmington)
Colors	Navy Blue and White
Mascot	Cougar
Yearbook	The Artisan
Newspaper	Trademark
Athletics	Blue Hen Conference, Flight "A"
Website	http://www.nccvotech.com/

Delcastle Technical High School is a vocational-technical high school in Wilmington, Delaware and is the largest of four high schools within the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, which includes Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Hodgson Vo-Tech High School in Glasgow, and St. Georges Technical High School in St. Georges. It is among the largest high schools in New Castle County, Delaware, with 1,532 students currently enrolled in grades nine through twelve.

About the School

Brief history

Delcastle Technical opened its doors in the fall of 1969; however, the completion of the auditorium and district offices was not achieved until 1972. Its unique name is the result of a contest that asked people to help name the school. The winning entry was the idea of one student to combine "Delaware" and "New Castle County." The school is arranged by three distinct wings: A, B, and C. The "A" Wing consists of industrial, construction, and automotive-related career fields as well as Technical Drafting; the "B" Wing houses Digital Media (including the television studio), Graphic Arts, Culinary Arts, Business Technology, Cosmetology, Production & Imagining and additional classrooms. The "C" Wing generally comprises academic classrooms, yet does include some career programs such as Chemical Laboratory and Dental Assisting. Additionally, Delcastle Technical's campus includes the Marshallton building in Marshallton, Delaware and houses the medical, foreign language studies, and business technology programs.

School Achievements^[1]

•Among the first in the country to be part of the automotive industry's work-based learning program, Auto-YES.
•The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce recognized the school's Pillars for Career Success (for grade 10) as a "Superstars in Education" winning program.
•Delcastle has received full Middle States accreditation.
•In 2003, Delcastle's yearbook, The Artisan, was the first yearbook in the state of Delaware to be offered in full-color.
• In 2008, the Culinary Arts Department's Cooks and Bakers received the National Education Association's "Best High School Event" for their Reading Across America community service program.
• In 2009, the girls' basketball team won the Delaware State Championship, ending a state title-drought that stretched back to 1996 when the school claimed a championship in girls' track and field.

Academic and Career Studies

Students of Delcastle Technical are offered various academic courses that meet or exceed current state requirements in addition to intensive career training in elected fields. Students select a career program during the spring semester of their freshman year.

The school utilizes a block-scheduling format in which students study different academic courses in the fall semester and spring semester.

In addition, there are academies at each grade level that are part of the daily school program, from the Delcastle Freshmen Transition Academy; better known as the DFTA, to Careers in Motion for seniors.

Supplemental to academics are the co-op experience, giving students the opportunity to work in a related business during the school day and take academic courses. In the past, students have worked at well-established places such as Bank of America and Christiana Care. Many students continue employment after graduation at these places while pursuing higher education.

Moreover, articulation programs have been established with regional post-secondary institutions so that students are able to earn college credit for technical instruction acquired in high school. Some of these institutions include Delaware Technical and Community College, University of Delaware, Wilmington University, and Cecil College.

Graduation Requirements

Number Required by State	22.00
Number Required by School	24.50
Average Credits Earned	30.30
Maximum Credits Earned	34.50

Academic Courses

A typical student's schedule includes all required courses in the selected career program of study as well as all required academic courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, safety/health, and foreign language if requested. Delcastle's academic curriculum is sufficient to provide its students the necessary skills needed for a post-secondary education.

Career Programs of Study

Students at Delcastle Technical choose a Program of Study in a career field that provides specific vocational/technical training. Course selection is based on the program of study chosen. Cooperative work experience is a part of the program of study during the senior year, which allows senior students to work in business and industry and receive credit. There are 23 career programs offered at Delcastle Technical, spanning six "clusters":

Business, Communication, and Computers Cluster

• Business Technology
• Digital Media
• Graphic Arts

Construction Cluster

• Carpentry
• Electrical Trades
• General Construction
• Plumbing
• Sheet Metal Fabrication
• Welding/Fabrication Technologies
• Technical Drafting

Health Services Cluster

• Dental Assisting
• Medical Assisting
• Nursing Technology
• Practical Nursing

Public and Consumer Services Cluster

• Cosmetology
• Production and Imaging Technologies
• Graphic Communications
• Digital Media
• Culinary Arts

Science, Energy, and Drafting Technologies Cluster

• Chemical Lab Technology
• Electronics
• Technical Drafting

Transportation Cluster

• Auto Body
• Auto Technology
• Aviation Technology

Sample Student Semester Schedule

Class Period	Course
01	Pre-Calculus
02	Pre-Calculus
03	Physics
04	Physics
05	General Psychology
06	Digital Media 12
07	Digital Media 12
08	Digital Media 12

Extracurricular activities

Delcastle Technical offers a wide array of athletics and clubs to complement students academic and technical studies.

Athletics

Delcastle fields eighteen varsity sport teams that compete in Blue Hen Conference, Flight "A", which includes: A. I. duPont High School, Charter School of Wilmington, Christiana High School, Glasgow High School, Middletown High School, Newark High School, and William Penn High School.

Season	Varsity Athletics Offered
Fall	Football, Men's Soccer, Field Hockey, Women's Volleyball, Men's & Women's Cross Country.
Winter	Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Indoor Track and Field, Wrestling.
Spring	Baseball, Softball, Women's Soccer, Men's Lacrosse, Golf, Men's & Women's Track and Field.

Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities

• Student Government, National Honor Society, Drama, "Trademark" Newspaper, Yearbook, SkillsUSA (a national vocational organization), Business Professionals of America, Cheerleading, Future Educators of America, Mock Trial, Cooks and Bakers, Crusaders for Christ, District Band, Book Club, Y.E.L.L. & KBG, Science Olympiad, Chess Club, Dance Team.

References

1. ^ Delaware School Profiles - District/School Search

External links

School District

• New Castle County Vo-Tech District Website
• Delcastle Technical High School Website

Cougar Athletic Updates

• Football^{[dead link]}
• Men's Soccer^{[dead link]}
• Field Hockey^{[dead link]}
• Women's Volleyball^{[dead link]}

Coordinates: 39°43′35″N 75°37′38″W / 39.7265°N 75.6271°W / 39.7265; -75.6271