These are exciting times for our school district. Over the last six years, we have invested over $200 million to build the Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology and update and expand Essex County West Caldwell Tech and Essex County Newark Tech. These initiatives have transformed our schools into modern learning centers and have allowed us to incorporate the newest technology into all areas of our curriculum.
Our Schools of Technology offer our students a dynamic, first-class education that will provide them with the foundation for a successful future. These include traditional vocational programs such as carpentry, plumbing, cosmetology, culinary arts and automobile mechanic as well as more technology-based careers such as architecture and drafting, advertising, music technology and animal science.
Our students are high achievers who exceed state standards in math and language arts, demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages and complete Advanced Placement courses in 11 different subject areas. Students who are part of our TEAL (Technology Enhanced Active Learning) Center also benefit from a unique program in which they are able to earn their Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts at the same time they receive their high school diploma.
Our district was the first of its kind in New Jersey when it was created and today we continue to be the leader in vocational education with our cutting-edge curriculum, use of technology and contemporary classrooms.