The Essex County Vocational-Technical High School in West Caldwell offers full time and shared time programs for regular and special needs students. The school course offerings integrate strong vocational and technical training opportunities with reinforcing academics to produce graduates who are prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing workplace.

The program is designed to provide academic instruction and vocational training in an environment that is challenging yet appropriate in a least restrictive environment. Opportunities also exist for regular education integration, job shadowing, and internships with businesses and industries. There are additional opportunities for students to participate in a variety of community service related experiences. The academic program adheres to New Jersey's Core Curriculum Standards.

Some students, however, wish to remain in their local district to take academic classes and attend here under the shared-time program. Vocational and technical programs are offered to both full and shared-time students in the following areas: Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology/Nail Technology, Horticulture, Electronics, Retail Careers, Auto Repair Service, Commercial Foods, Culinary Arts, Landscaping, Industrial Maintenance, Office Occupations, Performing Arts, and Technology Service/Installations.

Support Services are available to our students which include guidance, speech and occupational therapy, supplemental reading classes, and cooperative industrial education (C.I.E.) employment assistance. A Child Study Team is available to support the educational and emotional needs of many of our students. Our supported employment program utilizes two job coaches who seek a variety of volunteer and job sampling positions for students and work with them toward the goal of paid employment.

 
The goals of the school are to provide the students with skills to live independently and to work in competitive employment. Graduates earn a new Jersey State-endorsed high school diploma and are issued an occupational profile and shop competency certificate. The granting of the high school diploma is based upon fulfillment of the graduation requirements and the completion of the goals and objectives of the (I.E.P.)

The Transition Center program operates within the Essex County Vocational-Technical High School and is a community-based learning program which addresses the needs of learning disabled students who are in need of functional academic instruction with access to community experiences. The emphasis is on functional life skills with applications to local business and industry internships while vocational skill development is enhanced within the shops. These students benefit from intensive instruction related to their transition goals. Independent living skills, occupational and career guidance, and personal/social skills development are areas stressed.