Curriculum Overview
Besides your core academics of math, sciences, history, and English, freshmen will take survey courses in animal, plant, and environmental science to prepare to select a major in one of the three. All academic and agricultural courses will prepare you for MCAS testing, COPs (Certificate of Occupational Proficiency), and for acceptance into further educational programs – whether that is workforce training, community college, or four year college/university. All incoming freshmen take a placement test in English and math to determine the appropriate level in which to be placed. All subject matter – academic and agricultural is aligned with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Academic classes, which are 90 minutes long each, meet four times in the eight day cycle, alternating with agricultural classes. Freshmen and seniors have academic classes on the odd-numbered days of the cycle and have agricultural classes on the even-numbered days of the cycle. Sophomores and juniors have agricultural classes on the odd-numbered days of the cycle and academics on the even-numbered days.
Vocational classes meet on alternate days from the four core academic classes. Freshmen vocational classes may meet for 90 minutes, two hours and 15 minutes, or a half day (3 hours). Sophomore year and beyond some classes also meet for ¾ of the day or the full day.
In addition to your survey courses in freshman year, all freshmen and sophomores take a computer course based in Microsoft Office© applications and a physical education/health course as part of their vocational schedule. These courses meet once in the eight day cycle for a two period block (1 hour and 30 minutes). Additionally a career exploration program facilitated by members of our guidance department is offered to you in your freshman and sophomore years.
The number of seats in each major is limited; therefor, the grades that a student receives can be a determining factor in major/concentration a student is placed. See section X (10) of the Vocational Technical Placement Policy in the admissions policy.
Our school prides itself on integrating new topics and cutting edge technologies in the fields of animal, environmental, and plant science into our programs of study.
Essex Agricultural and Technical High School admits students and makes available to them the advantages, privileges, and courses of study without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.