Nancy Kelsey , Assistant Director

631/667-6000, ext. 300

Who attends Wilson Tech?
The 18 school districts in Babylon, Smithtown and Huntington send students to Tech. Students who choose a career or technical program attend their home school for half a day and are bused to Tech for nearly three hours of the school day.

What school districts send students to Wilson Tech?

Can I get Regents Diploma if I go into a career & technical education program?
Yes, all of our students can receive Regents Diplomas. Your schedule will be worked out to accommodate Regent's requirements. You can even take academic courses while you're at Tech. Tech can help you prepare for the Regents exams or the coursework you're taking in your high school.

What is the CTE Endorsement mean on a Regents Diploma?
The CTE (Career & Technical Endorsement) seal on a Regents diploma means you have successfully completed all the coursework in as two-year program at Tech AND you have passed a national certification exam. You can work toward a CTE endorsement in every one of Tech's 31 programs. This endorsement symbolizes your preparedness for the workplace and/or college level work. It means you have met the challenges of a rigorous training program that is recognized by employers in your field.

What about credits?
Students who complete an occupational or technical program may receive up to four Regents credits for each year completed as well as recommendation for sequence credit towards Regents diplomas. To receive such credit, students must complete and pass Introduction to Occupations, CORE (where required), prescribed sequence units of instruction, and the occupational proficiency exam (when available). By successfully completing a Tech program, students can fulfill the requirements for either a major or minor sequence.

Does Tech help find jobs for students?
Yes. Tech has a job placement office that receives calls daily from employers looking for applicants. We offer lifetime placement to our graduates.

Do Tech graduates go to college?
Yes. In most years nearly half of the Tech graduates further their education at two and four year colleges or at specialized training institutes. Tech programs have agreements with more than 100 colleges that may grant Tech graduates credits and/or advanced placement status.

For More Information Click Here

Can anyone take career and technical education?
Yes. Check with your guidance counselor in your own high school. They can tell you how to register. If you need more information about specific programs, you can always call Tech at 631-667-6000, ext. 300.

How do I choose which program I want to take?
Come to one of our Open Houses or Visitors Days. We have several scheduled every year. Individual tours can also be arranged. We have evening hours for parents to come too! Call 667-6000, ext. 300 for details.

How many years does a program take?
Programs may be attended for either one or two years. Students who attend for two years receive extended training and experience in their chosen area. Most programs that offer certification require two years of attendance.

Where would I study a career & technical program?
Wilson Tech has five sites. Different programs are located at different locations.  Click here to find these locations.

What are career & technical education's unique strengths?
o Our instructors. They know what businesses and industry require because they have worked in their fields. They bring on-the-job know-how to the classroom. Individualized, hands-on instruction. At Tech you learn by doing. Many students report that the best part of Tech is working on their own individual projects. It's fun to see you own designs and ideas come to life! Worksite experiences. These are available for most students. There's nothing like working in your field to prepare you for the job you really want. You'll be speaking from experience! Just what employers want.

What kinds of worksite experiences does Tech offer?
There are three basic kinds:

1. Worksite Visitation
2. Shadowing/Internship
3. Cooperative Work Experience

With a Worksite Visitation, the whole class travels to the worksite where employees are observed as they perform their jobs. During observation and afterward, students have opportunities to ask questions.

Students who have a Shadowing/Internship experience will be matched one-on-one with an employee for up to 2 weeks at a time. Opportunities exist for both observing and performing various parts of a job.

Coop provides a paid, on-the-job experience that relates directly to a student's course of study. It is available only to seniors who have done well in their career and technical studies. Students who participate in the Coop program work from one to four mornings per week and spend at least one morning in their Tech classroom. Afternoons are spent in regular home school classes. Grades are based on job performance as well as classroom performance. Attendance expectations are the same for the job site as the classroom. The Tech instructor, business and community liaison, and the worksite supervisor work together with students in a cooperative effort to insure student success. Employers often employ their Coop students full-time work after graduation.

Do I graduate from BOCES if I take a BOCES career & technical education program?
No. You graduate from your home school. Your school and BOCES work together to see that you have a complete educational program. BOCES has several Awards and Recognition Ceremonies at the end of each year for students taking its courses, but those ceremonies do not take the place of high school graduation.

©2008 Western Suffolk BOCES
17 Westminster Ave., Dix Hills, NY 11746
(631) 667-6000, ext. 300 webmaster@wsboces.org