Essex County Schools of Technology

I am pleased to inform parents, students, graduates and friends that all four Essex County Vocational Technical Schools are now recognized as “high performing” places of learning. This status was achieved among many other honors during the past year. Bloomfield Tech continues to rank among the top urban schools in the country as this Blue Ribbon School exceeded its performance goals for the eighth consecutive year. North 13th Street Tech was recognized by the National Staff Development Council for its teachers collaboration to boost learning and achievement. Newark Tech was ranked among the top twenty schools in the United States by the Council of Vocational Technical Directors and West Caldwell Tech was the single School Improvement Grant School in New Jersey to achieve its Annual Yearly Progress Goals.This year more opportunities for growth are on the horizon. The district is seeking ways to make student progress information more readily available to parents through online availability of grades and student progress. West Caldwell Tech is offering an extended day program for student support that promises to be a model for learning enrichment. At the same time plans for the renovation of Newark Tech are underway and plans for a new state-of-the-art high school are moving forward.Once again, I welcome your ideas for improving how we serve our students as the demand for places in each of the four schools increases. Please continue to ensure that your students are in school every day and on time. Together we are and we will continue to make a positive difference in our students’ lives.Michael A. Pennella.SUPERINTENDENT