Quincy Public Schools

The following is excerpted from School Committee Policy 10.5.3 CVTE Program Admissions Policy and was approved by the QPS School Committee on February 9, 2022.

School Committee Policy 10.5.3
CTE Recruitment, Admissions, and Retention

I. Introduction

The Quincy Public Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE) program serves students in grades nine through twelve. An exploratory program (Freshmen Seminar) is offered for Grade 9 students at Quincy High School and provides career awareness, student assessments, educational and career planning, an overview of available technical programs and career electives and majors, and beginning safety and skill development.

Specific technical career pathway training begins in Grade 10 after students have selected a CTE program of their choice and gone through the admissions process. Technical areas and shops are designed and equipped to serve a specific maximum number of students safely. Therefore, a selection process is necessary and when a CTE program is oversubscribed, students will be evaluated according to this CTE Admissions Policy.

We have designed an integrated academic and CTE program which is compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006.

II. Equal Education Opportunity Statement

Quincy Public Schools CTE programs admit students and make available to them its advantages, privileges, and course of study, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, or disability.

Students with limited English proficiency will be assisted in completing the necessary forms and with interpretation during the entire application process upon request of the applicant.

Students who are disabled may voluntarily self-identify for the purpose of requesting reasonable accommodations during the entire application process.

Information on limited English proficiency and disability submitted voluntarily by the applicant for the purpose of receiving assistance and accommodations will not affect their admission to Quincy Public Schools CTE Programs.

III. Eligibility

All students residing in Quincy are eligible to enroll in Quincy Public Schools CTE programs in Grades 10 through 12, subject to space availability. For oversubscribed programs, resident students will be evaluated using the selection criteria contained in this Admissions Policy.

A. Ninth Grade Students

Any student who resides in Quincy and has successfully completed the eighth grade is eligible to participate in the exploratory program, Freshmen Seminar, by enrolling at Quincy High School. Students who do not live in the Quincy High School district may apply for admission through Open Enrollment. Students who are not residents of Quincy are eligible to apply for Grade 9 fall admission subject to availability of openings to the Freshman Seminar program.

B. Tenth and Eleventh Grade Students and Repeating Ninth Grade Students

A student meeting the admission criteria who resides in Quincy is eligible for any of the CTE programs in Quincy Public Schools. First preference for admission to CTE programs is given to grade 9 students.

C. Twelfth Grade Students

Grade 12 students are accepted for the first year of a major, as an elective, on a space-available basis after grade 9 and 10 students have been accommodated.

D. Private School Students

Quincy residents currently attending private schools are eligible for enrollment in Quincy Public Schools CTE programs, provided they meet the admissions criteria. These students must register as Quincy Public School students and attend either North Quincy High School or Quincy High School.

E. Home Schooled Students

Quincy residents who are formally being home schooled may apply for admission to Quincy Public Schools CTE Programs, provided all admissions policy criteria are followed. The home school students' parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit a copy of the Home School Approval Letter from the Superintendent of Schools or their designee. These students must also register as Quincy Public School students and attend either North Quincy High School or Quincy High School.

Students who are not residents of Quincy are eligible to apply for fall admission subject to availability of openings, provided they expect to be promoted to the grade they seek to enter by their current school. Non-resident students will be evaluated using the criteria contained in this Admissions Policy and according to M.G.L. c. 74 s.8A. More information is available at www.doe.mass.edu/cte/admissions/nonres_guidelines.

IV. Organizational Structure

Quincy Public Schools CTE programs are located at both North Quincy High School and Quincy High School, both accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Executive Director of Career and Technical Education is the administrator responsible for the management of CTE programs and reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools.

The district contains five middle schools: Atlantic, Broad Meadows, Central, Point Webster, and South-West. All Grade 8 students from the middle schools are eligible to apply for enrollment in either high school based on their interest in a specific CTE program.

Quincy Public Schools CTE has an Admissions Committee convened to admit applicants when a program is oversubscribed. The committee consists of the Executive Director of CTE, the Principal, CTE Department Chair, Guidance Department Chair, Special Education Department Chair, and ELL Department Chair.

Responsibilities of the CTE Admissions Committee include:

1. Determination of standards for admission
2. Development and implementation of admission procedures
3. Processing and review of applications
4. Ranking of students
5. Acceptance of students according to the procedure and criteria in the admission policy
6. Establishment and maintenance of a waiting list of qualified students

Based on an annual vote by the Quincy School Committee, Quincy Public Schools does not participate in the School Choice program.

V. Recruitment and Communications Process

All middle schools in the district will actively collaborate with respective high schools to inform students about CTE/vocational opportunities available to them. This collaboration includes:

• Open House: Annual Open House events at each high school in the fall, open to all middle school students and families residing in Quincy.
• Back to School Night: Provides parents/guardians with information about the QHS freshmen exploratory program (Freshmen Seminar).
• On-Campus Assemblies: Each fall, all eighth-grade students attend assemblies at their middle school featuring speakers from QHS and NQHS CTE departments.
• Course Selection Planning Night: 8th grade parents/guardians and students are invited to learn about the course selection process and each high school's program of studies.
• Fly-Up Day: At the end of 8th grade, students visit their respective high school for an introduction to the school's culture and CTE offerings.
• Parent Academy – Post-Secondary Initiatives: Grade 8 parents and students learn about post-secondary opportunities including Dual Enrollment, Early College High School Pathway, Accelerated Associate Degree Pathway, and CVTE Pathway.
• School Tours: Rising 8th grade students may tour CTE schools during regular middle school hours, with costs assumed by the hosting school.
• Individualized School Tours: Each summer, incoming 9th grade students may tour their respective high school one to two weeks prior to the start of the school year.
• Promotion of Events: CTE events are publicized on the Quincy Public Schools website and social media platforms, local access Channel 22, Principal Newsletters, middle school electronic displays, and through direct emails to students and parents/guardians.
• Online Resources: By October 15th each year, the district website will publish information about CTE vocational school options, including links to career pathways, admissions policies, and event schedules.

VI. Application Process

Quincy High School – Grade 9

All QHS Grade 9 students are enrolled in a freshmen exploratory program. If there are more students than seats available, a straight lottery will be conducted for admission.

Quincy High School – Grades 10, 11, 12

• Students indicate interest by selecting the program during the Aspen course selection process in the spring. Students transferring from private schools may select a CTE program during the registration process.
• Students requesting admission to an oversubscribed program will be assessed using the selection criteria in this admissions policy.
• Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by the CTE Executive Director if their first choice will not be accommodated. Students will be placed in an alternative program and notified of their status on the waiting list.

North Quincy High School – Grades 10, 11, 12

• Students indicate interest by selecting the program during the Aspen course selection process in the spring.
• Students requesting admission to an oversubscribed program will be selected using a straight lottery.
• Requests must be submitted by April 1st. The lottery will take place on April 15th in a publicly accessible place, with at least one week's notice provided. Requests received after April 1st may only be drawn from the lottery if additional seats become available.
• Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by the CTE Executive Director if their first choice will not be accommodated.

Non-Resident Students

A non-resident student seeking admission to Quincy Public Schools CTE Programs for Grades 9–12 under M.G.L. c. 74, Sections 7 and 7C must follow the admission process outlined in this Admissions Policy.

Students who begin enrollment as Quincy residents and move outside of the District may request to remain at Quincy as nonresidents, provided they obtain approval from the Superintendent of their District of Residence in accordance with DESE guidelines.

All non-resident applicants must file a Chapter 74 Vocational Technical Nonresident Student Tuition Application with the Superintendent of the student's district of residence. Applications must be submitted between January 1 and March 1 to be considered for the next school year. Applications available no later than November 1 from the Executive Director of CTE office.

All applicants will be entered into a straight lottery on April 15th in a publicly accessible place.

Students accepted into Grade 10, 11, or 12 must complete a Career and Educational Plan.

Late Applications

Requests received after April 1st may be drawn from the lottery only if additional seats become available, as priority is given to all requests received by the April 1st deadline.

Transfer Students

Applications from students enrolled in a state-approved (Chapter 74) CTE program in another school will be considered if they relocate to Quincy and wish to pursue the same program of study. These students must attend an interview with the Executive Director of CTE and/or their designee. Transfer requests within the district should be directed to the student's Guidance Counselor.

Withdrawn Students

Students who withdraw from Quincy Public Schools CTE programs may reapply following the procedures in this Admissions Policy and will be evaluated using the same criteria.

Homeschooled Students

Quincy residents formally being home schooled may apply for admission, including during the school year. Parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit a copy of the Home School Approval Letter from the Superintendent of Schools. If grades are unavailable, a representative portfolio in English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies must be submitted. For oversubscribed programs, homeschooled students will be ranked on:

• Portfolio/grades – 34%
• Interview – 33%
• Letters of recommendation – 33%

VII. Selection Criteria for Oversubscribed CTE Programs

Quincy High School

All QHS students requesting admission to an oversubscribed CTE program will be reviewed by the CTE Admissions Committee using weighted admissions criteria. Each applicant will be assigned a score calculated from the criteria subtotals below.

Criterion	Maximum Points
Grades	25
Attendance	25
Conduct/Discipline	25
Student Statement of Interest	10
Teacher Recommendation	15
Total	100

Students are ranked by score and placed into programs accordingly. If not placed in their second or third choice, the guidance counselor and Executive Director of CTE will meet with the student to select an alternate. Students will be notified of placements before the end of the school year. If an acceptance is declined, admission is offered to the next applicant on the waiting list. Students remain on the wait list for one school year.

Admissions Criteria Rubrics – QHS Oversubscribed Programs

1. Grades – Maximum 25 Points

Grade Average	Points
90–100	25
80–89	20
70–79	15
60–69	10
0–59	5

• Grade 9 students applying for Grade 10: average point total of Freshmen Seminar grade.
• Non-resident applications to Grade 9 (fall): average of Grade 7 and Semester 1 Grade 8 marks in English, social studies, math, and science.
• Resident and non-resident applications to Grade 10 (fall): average of previous school year and Semester 1 current year marks in core subjects.

2. Attendance – Maximum 25 Points

Number of Unexcused Absences	Points
0–2	25
3–4	10
5–6	5
7 or more	0

• Non-resident applications to Grade 9 (fall): sum of Grade 7 and Semester 1 Grade 8 unexcused absences.
• Resident and non-resident applications to Grade 10 (fall): sum of previous school year and Semester 1 current year unexcused absences.

3. Conduct/Discipline – Maximum 25 Points

Number of Incidents (excluding minor infractions)	Points
0	25
1–2	18
3–4	10
5 or more	0

• Non-resident applications to Grade 9 (fall): sum of Grade 7 and Semester 1 Grade 8 incidents.
• Resident and non-resident applications to Grade 10 (fall): sum of previous school year and Semester 1 current year incidents.

4. Student Statement of Interest – Maximum 10 Points

Students submit a typed 100-word statement about why they are interested in the CTE program and how graduating will help them in the future. Video submissions may accompany the written statement.

Topic	5 Points	3 Points	0 Points
Identifies CTE program of interest and explains interest in the specific program	Student clearly identifies program and explains why they want to be in it	Student identifies program or explains interest, but not both	Student identifies neither the program nor the reason for applying
Explains how being a graduate of the program will help with future career plans	Student clearly identifies how completing the program will help their future career	Student is vague about how attending the program will help their career	Student does not describe how completing the program will help them

5. Teacher Recommendation – Maximum 15 Points

A teacher of the student's choice at their current school completes the recommendation using the rubric below.

Criterion	5 Points	3 Points	0 Points
Academic Performance	Completes or attempts all assignments	Completes or attempts most assignments	Completes or attempts few or no assignments
Participation	Actively participates in class	Sometimes participates in class	Does not participate in class
Attentiveness	Actively attentive in class	Sometimes attentive in class	Not attentive in class

North Quincy High School

All NQHS students requesting admission to an oversubscribed CTE program will be entered into a straight lottery on April 15th in a publicly accessible place, with at least one week's notice provided.

VIII. Retention Strategies

Quincy Public Schools is committed to retaining all students enrolled in CTE programs by providing individual support and strategies that promote equitable access.

• Progress Monitoring: Teachers and staff actively monitor performance, attendance, and engagement and report concerns to the Student Support Team (SST). The SST develops individual support plans weekly.
• Counseling & Career Planning: Each student meets with their guidance counselor on a schedule addressing social-emotional needs, academic needs, and post-secondary career planning. An annual college fair, CTE career day, and industry guest speakers are scheduled for students.
• Family Engagement: QPS communicates weekly with families to promote programs, calendar events, student learning, and offerings.
• Work-Based Learning: Each CTE program promotes industry-specific work-based learning opportunities. The cooperative education program is available to senior CTE students who meet criteria standards.

IX. Review and Appeals

Applicants' parents/guardians will be notified by letter from the Executive Director of CTE if the applicant was not accepted or was placed on a waiting list. Parents/guardians may request a review by sending a letter of appeal to the Superintendent of Schools within thirty days of receipt of the letter. The Superintendent will respond in writing within thirty days.

If parents/guardians wish to appeal the findings of the review, they may request to appear before the School Committee. The School Committee will provide a scheduled date within thirty days and issue a written decision within thirty days of the meeting when the appeal is presented.

X. Maintenance of Records

QPS maintains records of all students who apply, enroll, or are waitlisted, to facilitate analysis of its admissions system and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The district maintains records of criteria used for admission into oversubscribed CTE programs at QHS. QPS will provide this information to DESE or the applicant's family upon request.