Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School

established = 1972
type = Public secondary / technical
grades = 9–12
city = 115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill
state = Massachusetts
country = USA
enrollment = 1,400+
campus = Suburban
mascot = Wildcat
colors = Maroon and Gold
website = [http://www.whittier.mec.edu] [http://www.whittiertech.org]

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School aka Whittier Tech is located in the city of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1972. The building currently houses about 1400 students, with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. It serves many surrounding cities and towns primarily in the northern section of Essex County, accepting students from Haverhill, Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley, Amesbury, Merrimac, Georgetown, Groveland, Ipswich, and Salisbury. The school was named in honor of local resident, Quaker poet, and slavery abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier.

Academic program

"Whittier's academic program is designed and offer students a broad base in fundamental skills through its core curriculum in English, Math, Science & Technology, Social Studies, World Languages, Physical Education/Health, and Elective subjects and to afford students with varying abilities the opportunity to succeed.

Courses are designed in a sequential format and are integrated with the vocational-technical areas, wherever practicable and mutually beneficial. All academic courses offer advanced sections for students who desire to further their education. Moreover, a Tech Prep program is offered to eleventh and twelfth grade students which parallels the College Prep program and provides students with the opportunity for college credit and/or advanced college placement.

Student activities

Whittier Tech has an extensive number of student activities. They include the Key Club, SADD, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (SkillsUSA-VICA), Multicultural Club, Model United Nations, Performing Arts, FICI club, and Student government.

Another annual tradition Whittier Tech takes part in is the building and donation of a parade float for Haverhill, Massachusetts's annual Santa Claus Parade held every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day.

School athletics

Whittier Tech's athletic teams are nicknamed the "Wildcats". The school's colors are Maroon & Gold. They are a member of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference. Sports offered include football,cross country, cheerleading, track & field, volleyball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and softball.

Co-Op

Whittier Tech offers a comprehensive service for Cooperative Programs, part-time and full-time employment. Cooperative Education is a trade-related work program designed to provide a learning/work experience in which eligible seniors and juniors are placed in jobs during shop week. On alternate weeks the students will return to school for their academic and related subjects.

Seniors in good academic standing are eligible for Co-op employment. Students selected for Co-op will receive "on the job" training during their shop schedule along with compensation for services provided.

Cooperative Placement requires a formal agreement in concert with the school, Department of Labor, employer, and student employee. The shop instructor, Vocational Coordinator, and Placement Director will approve individual student eligibility. The office of Cooperative Director supervises Cooperative training. Students under 18 years of age must obtain a Co-op Permit to allow them to participate in certain hazardous occupations.

OSHA

Every shop at the school goes through a 10 hour OSHA training program. This program is free and is mandatory for Co-Op. The OSHA class is free of charge.

MCAS

Whittier's MCAS Enrichment Program has been developed to improve students performance on the MCAS. Whittier has assumed a proactive role in this endeavor. Our goal is to work with students to develop the skills necessary for successful MCAS results.

Whittier has a unified commitment to excellence in meeting the educational needs of individuals in the Whittier District, while being accountable to its member communities. This commitment is to enable students to be successful in his chosen technical pursuit and to become a productive member of society.

References

External links

* [http://www.whittier.mec.edu/ Whittier Homepage]
* [http://www.whittier.mec.edu/welcome.htm Letter from the Superintendent]