ABOUT US

 

North 13th Street Tech is one of America’s most outstanding and rapidly growing Vocational/Technical High Schools. The core purpose of North 13th Street Tech is to lead and support the never-ending improvement of student achievement with a specific focus on exceeding nationwide expectations, staying ahead of global technological changes, and closing achievement gaps. Our objective is to contest traditional notions of a vocational high school graduate by providing an uncompromising and rewarding education for all our students and to reverse underachievement in students performing below their potential.

 

Our demanding and diverse curriculum allows students to develop exceptional academic and technical skills. In addition to our state-of-the-art technical and vocational courses, our students participate in multiple levels of exceptional academic course work which includes honors, technical and college preparatory level classes. North 13th Street Tech also offers inclusion and special education courses for students with varied educational needs.

 

North 13th Street Tech operates under class schedules which include 40 and 60 minute periods, 80-minute blocks, and concentrated shop block courses. This schedule allows our students more time on tasks and gives teachers opportunities to practice ground-breaking pedagogical methods such as cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, alternative assessment, and inclusive guided practice. The techniques used for learning are reflective of real-world scenarios students will be inevitably forced to embrace in their careers. In addition to standard academic course offerings, we provide students with limitless amounts of before and after-school tutoring programs that utilize federal resources provided by No Child Left Behind and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. All of our courses address the New Jersey Core Content Standards in an effective and well-organized routine that requires students to engage in collaborative interdisciplinary activities that foster interpersonal, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.

 

In a totally unpredictable society, our technical programs of study reflect promising fields with a bright future for employees.To that end, our students are immersed in applied learning experiences that utilize the latest technologies, equipment, and facilities that will define tomorrow's workplace. Technical classes take place in various laboratories in which production work is tied to specific academic benchmarks sequenced throughout the curriculum. Students have the chance to receive occupational training in the following technical areas: Law and Public Safety, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Accounting, Business Technology, Computer Electronics, Network Technology, Computer Repair, Graphic Design, Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Web Design and Culinary Arts.

 

Our school also has a tremendous Cooperative Industrial Education Program accompanied with a job coach who assists students in obtaining quality employment opportunities. Career and Vocational/Technical Education is responsive to the economic needs of the workplace and the individual. By being engaged with employers, business, and post-secondary institutions, the graduates of North 13th Street tech will be better prepared to contribute to the strength of our nation and the quality of life for its citizens.

 

Seniors at North 13th Street Tech have the opportunity to participate in college level classes through collaborations with Essex County Community College (ECC) and Fairleigh Dickerson University. Seniors leave the North 13th Street Campus and are bused to ECC where they receive the benefits and privileges of a college student while still completing their high school coursework.

 

North 13th Street Tech emphasizes the importance of healthy relationships between staff and students, as well as families and community members in building a complete education. North 13th Street Tech teachers and staff uphold standards of relationships, rigor, and relevance in their approach to teaching, mentoring, and supporting students who perform below their potential. All instructors utilize differentiated instructional practices that include technology-infused classroom instruction to further aid students in the learning process. Teachers also participate in massive amounts of professional development activities which include professional learning communities where teachers share resources, knowledge, and effective teaching strategies.

  

To continue our improvement, we have set in motion an array of extra curricular activities intended to give students additional assistance outside of the classroom. School organizations include Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National Honor Society (NHS), Student Council, Book Chatter, Mock Trials, Drama Club, Anime Club, the Gifted & Talented Program, and the Robotics Program. Our talented students have helped produce ground-breaking school plays and musicals. In addition, we have multiple sports including Boys and Girls Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Cross Country. Each of these programs further challenges our students to focus on concepts of teamwork, hard work, and true dedication. These positive experiences inevitably spill over to all areas of their academic and social career.


North 13th Street Campus has developed partnerships with local and state businesses such as Public Service Electric & Gas, Strauss Auto, and the Essex County Department of Economic Development. We have also partnered with numerous institutions of higher learning  in order to assist students with the transition from secondary education to post-secondary options such as two or four year colleges, technical schools, military, or entry into the workforce. These partnerships are the foundations of our School-to-Career program. Many of these programs offer our students opportunities to earn college credits and a more valuable post-secondary experience to which many of our students have taken advantage of.

At the North 13th Street Campus we believe that the bond and commitment between home and school is one of the keys to our current and future success. We use technology such as our online homework system to assist students in accessing the necessary resources to achieve and stay organized. Also through the use of new peer to peer communication devices such as Facebook, YouTube, Moodle, and PowerSchool, we have successfully maximized the school-to-home and teacher to student communication processes.

 

Our Parent-Teacher-Student-Association (PTSA) helps to further that bond and in getting parents more involved in all areas of their children’s education. Parents are encouraged to stay active in their child’s education and there’s no better place for the opportunity to do so than at North 13th Street Tech.

 

Beliefs and values are words that have real meaning at North 13th Street Tech. Our most firm belief is all students are able to achieve greatness in whatever area they strive to. Our most firm value is that of the student. North 13th Street Tech values most importantly the opportunity to educate all students. Finally, our students and teachers demonstrate their commitment to the community-at-large with all-embracing participation in volunteer and community service activities. It is in that spirit and character that we have distinguished our school as one that promotes serving a cause greater than our own self interests in an attempt to address the needs of our common society.