900 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, New Jersey 07044
973-412-2050• www.essextech.org
Dr. Michael Pennella, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, Board of Education President

Essex County at a Glance

Program

• Program: Full- and Shared-time

Enrollment

• 2,500 Secondary Students
• 200 Adult/Post-secondary Students

25 Secondary Programs Including:

• Business Technology
• CISCO Networking
• Computer Technology
• Culinary Arts
• Cosmetology
• Electrical Construction
• Horticulture
• Music Production
• Welding

27 Post-secondary and Adult Programs Including

• Licensed Practical Nursing
• Dental Assistant
• Computer Aided Drafting
• HVAC
• Building Trade Technologies
• Automotive Technology

Key Contacts

• Business Administrator,
  Peter J. Lanzi:
  973-228-0377 X 223

Mission and Overview

The philosophy of the Essex County Vocational Schools is to challenge all students through accelerated academic programs and rigorous occupational and technical training. The goal of the schools is to open doors of opportunity for its graduates that allow them flexible career choices and access to a college education. All general students graduate with both career skills that meet nationally certified standards allowing them to enter the workplace and academic skills that allow them to pursue post-secondary education. All four high schools provide comprehensive academic and occupational programs for grades 9 to 12. West Caldwell offers a full-time program for students with special needs and a shared-time program for general and special needs students. The district meets the diverse needs of a wide-range of students including special education students, students with limited English proficiency, and gifted and talented students.

District Highlights

The West Caldwell Campus recently dedicated a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility. The new construction provides a gymnasium and stage. District humanities teachers have partnered with educators of the Newark Museum to expand the system’s innovative American Studies program and were awarded a three-year, $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant is one of only 16 awarded in the country. Educators will further develop and implement a high-quality, standards-based arts education program for at-risk high school students which combines classroom work with learning experiences at the museum. Through the Department of Labor, the district supervises an apprenticeship program with over 750 apprentices throughout the county. As part of its school-to-work program, the district has partnerships with over 100 businesses in the county.

Looking Ahead

The district will maintain, expand and extend a comprehensive framework for use of technology-based administrative and instructional systems to effectively prepare students to live, learn and work in a global, knowledge-based environment. The district continues to strive to improve performance district-wide and provide counseling and referral services.

Learn more about Essex County Vocational Schools at www.essextech.org.