Hello! We are so happy to have you
interested in becoming part
of the Western Tech family. The following
presentation
is designed to provide a basic overview
of the programs offered at Western Tech
and important dates and information
concerning the magnet application
process.
The Western School of Technology and
Environmental Science is one of four
full magnet high schools in Baltimore
County.
Every student attending Western Tech has
applied
and been accepted to one of 11 magnet
programs offered at the school.
The mission of Western Tech is to
provide students with a challenging
academic course load, cutting edge
technological career programs,
and experiential environmental science
programs to achieve success
in higher education and in the workplace. All students at Western Tech take full
academic schedules while completing one
of 11 magnet programs.
The next portion of this presentation
will introduce you to the magnet
programs offered at Western Tech.
The Academy of Health Professions
program is a Career in Technology
curriculum that prepares students for
entry-level healthcare employment
and college readiness.
Students in the Academy of Health
Professions learn practical knowledge of
anatomy and physiology,
medical terminology, entry-level patient
care skills,
and CPR and first aid. Students have the
opportunity to participate in intensive
hands-on internship opportunities
working with real patients
in a variety of medical settings,
including the University of Maryland
Medical System
and the Baltimore Veterans Affairs
Hospital.
Automotive Service Technology is a
state-of-the-art,
nationally certified program which
provides students with 540 hours
of intensive training to successfully
complete four areas of automotive repair--
brakes, steering and suspension,
electricity and electronics,
and internal combustion gasoline engine
performance.
In addition to attending all hours and
executing all required tasks,
students must take two end-of-course
examinations at the end of each semester
10th and 11th grade, an internship,
dual enrollment, special project, or work
study can be selected after 11th grade
year
and all juniors are required to attend
career fair
and present resumes, portfolios, and
interviews to potential employers.
The Automotive program also has a
standing articulation agreement in place
with the Community College of Baltimore
County and Universal Technical Institute
that allows students to be awarded five
credit hours for the work completed at
Western Tech.
The Cosmetology program prepares
individuals to care for
and beautify hair, skin, and nails.
Students are instructed in the art and
science of cosmetology,
as well as all aspects of the industry.
Emphasis is placed on hygiene,
safety, and sanitation, as well as State
Board of Cosmetologists rules and
regulations.
Related areas of instruction include
skills in professional development,
communication, marketing, and human
anatomy and physiology.
Salon management is an integral part of
the classroom and clinical experience.
The 1500 hour program includes classroom
instruction,
clinical experience, and a work-study
program in a licensed salon,
under the supervision of a licensed
senior cosmetologist
for at least 300 hours during their
senior year.
Students are required to take the
Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
Examination,
Practical and Theory, for licensure in
order to become a Cosmetology program
completer.
The Culinary Arts program allows
students to receive
instruction in food production,
professional cooking and baking,
nutrition, management, training, service
skills,
human relations, and menu development.
Students in the Culinary Arts program
will also have the opportunity to work
during school functions and community
events to attain the required 400 work
hours towards ProStart certification.
Students who meet the high standards of
this program are awarded
industry-related certifications and
scholarship opportunities.
Students can also coordinate internships
with American Culinary Federation
Greater Baltimore,
Western's work-based learning
coordinator, and local food service
establishments.
The Environmental Science program is
intended for science and environmentally
motivated students
who plan to attend four-year college or
universities
immediately after high school. The
program offers students a variety of
intersecting and challenging educational
opportunities and physical
and life sciences, along with learning
key scientific concepts.
The students will also be actively
involved with hands-on laboratory
investigations and outdoor experiences.
Students in the Environmental Science
program are required to complete at
least eight science credits.
Graduates from this program have gone on
to various colleges to study
environmental science, biology, chemistry,
physics, engineering, medicine, forensics,
oceanography, public policy, pharmacology,
and more.
Internships include but are not limited
to
the Irvine Nature Center, the Institute
of Marine and Environmental Technology
at Columbus Center,
Maryland Department of the Environment,
the Chesapeake Bay Foundation,
Maryland Department of Natural Resources,
local hospitals,
pharmacies, and veterinary hospitals.
The Environmental Technology program is
a career-oriented field
that utilizes principles of science
engineering and computer technology
to protect and enhance the environment
and human health.
The program emphasizes the application
of environmental sciences through the
use of technology,
hands-on research projects, and field
activities.
The Environmental Technology program
allows students to engage in hands-on
learning
in water, land, and air systems; natural
resources management;
environmental sampling and control;
pollution prevention and control;
geographic information systems; and more.
During their senior year, students have
the option of completing a capstone work
study program
for three credits as they work in the
many fields of environmental technology.
Examples of prior work study locations
include
the Institute of Marine and
Environmental Technology at Columbus
Center,
the National Geographic Society, Patapsco
Talley State Park,
Baltimore County's Department of
Environmental Planning and Resource
Management,
and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Graphic/Print Communications
Technology program
provides students with fundamental
workplace management,
technical application, and interpersonal
skills necessary
to enter and succeed in a diverse
expansive career
associated with the graphic
communications industry.
Students in the Graphic/Print
Communications program engage and
progress through a variety of programs
and skills,
including computer operations, artistic
expression,
graphics and imaging machinery
operations,
photography and editing, image assembly,
and more.
The Graphic/Print Communications
Technology program at Western
was the first in Baltimore County to
offer nationally certified print
ed competencies training. Students
completing this program will also have
the opportunity to earn internships
at the National Security Agency,
EmbroidMe, Catonsville;
Sir Speedy, Baltimore County Public
Schools, Strategic Factory and more.
All students in the program are offered
the opportunity
to qualify for as many as six Advanced
Placement credits articulated with the
Community College of Baltimore County.
The Information Technology-Computer
Science program prepares students for
further study and careers
in the field of computer science through
programming, hardware design,
networks, graphics, databases and
information retrieval,
cyber security and software design, and
more.
Students in the Computer Science program
progress through a variety of
programming languages
including html, Java and JavaScript, C++,
and more. Students have the
opportunity to earn multiple
professional certifications,
including Microsoft Office Specialist,
Microsoft Technology Associate,
html, css, and more.
Students may also participate in various
work study programs, including at the
National Security Administration.
Students may also complete dual
enrollment programs or complete a full
schedule
at Western.
The Information Technology--Networking
program prepares students with
fundamental and advanced computer
interpersonal and problem solving skills
necessary for success in computer career
fields.
The Networking pathway provides students
with a background in hardware,
software, and telecommunications
computer-aided troubleshooting and
instruction is integrated into the
learning process.
Students in the Networking program
complete both individual in-person
and computerized online instruction.
Students work with computer hardware and
operating systems.
They design, build, and maintain computer
networks; troubleshoot and repair
computer software and hardware; and more.
Students who successfully complete the
Networking pathway are eligible to earn
both CISCO Certified Entry-Level Network
Technician Certification
and CompTIA A+ Certification during
their senior year.
Students may participate in the work
study program, dual enrollment program,
or stay at Western for a full schedule.
The Mechanical Construction/Plumbing
program prepares students in residential
and commercial construction
to install and maintain water supply
systems,
waste removal systems, and various
fixtures and gas appliances
that provide for personal comfort in the
home or commercial business setting.
Students in the Mechanical Construction/
Plumbing program
complete a full academic schedule while
also learning and developing commercial
and residential plumbing construction
skills in an on-the-job environment.
Students who successfully complete the
program are eligible for advanced
placement
in the Associated Builders and
Contractors Apprentice program.
Students who complete the Mechanical
Construction program and the Associated
Builders and Contractors Plumbing
Apprenticeship program
will be eligible for six articulated
credits at the Community College of
Baltimore County.
The Sports Science Academy invites
students to a world of academic
athletic leadership and career
opportunities.
Sports Science is a comprehensive magnet
program
geared towards students with a passion
for sports and who are interested in
pursuing a sports science related career.
Students in the Sports Science Academy
focus on the intersection of athletics
and science foundations.
Students progress through both academic
and hands-on learning in Paramedical
Biology, Sports Medicine, Anatomy and Physiology,
Sports Psychology, and more.
Students will have an opportunity to
participate in a senior independent
internship,
take Advanced Placement classes to earn
college credit,
and or participate in concurrent
enrollment courses
at the Community College of Baltimore
County. Those students wishing to pursue
an internship
will engage in program-related
activities that allow them to work with
industry leaders
in a manner that allows them to apply
their knowledge to real-world activities
and further develop their skill set.
Here you will find the basic sequence
for all magnet programs at Western Tech.
Programs are designed to increase in
both intensity and immersion
as students progress through their high
school experience.
In their 12th grade year, students have
the opportunity to pursue internship
programs,
Advanced Placement coursework, and more
as their capstone experience.
Western Tech operates on an alternating
A/B Day block schedule.
You will see the school day begins at 7:30 and ends at 2:00
with 4 class periods each A and B Day.
Students have 5 minutes of passing time
between classes
and the school operates using 4 lunch
periods.
You will see as noted in the program
sequence students will double the amount
of time
spent in their magnet program beginning
sophomore year.
During their senior year, students
regularly have half schedules of
in-school academics as they are also
completing their capstone experience.
Although individual schedules may vary,
we hope this provides you a basic
understanding of the daily routine for
our students.
All students at Western School of
Technology and Environmental Science are
expected to complete a capstone
experience during their senior year.
The capstone experience may include
internships, both paid and unpaid;
parallel enrollment programs, which allow
students to take college courses on a
college campus while still in high
school;
Advanced Placement courses, which allow
students to potentially earn college
credit and more.
Western Tech is proud of the
relationships we have built with our
community and business partners.
It is through these relationships that
we are able to provide students with a
well-rounded academic and career-focused
capstone experience during their senior
year.
Western Tech also offers a wide range of
Advanced Placement courses.
AP courses provide high school students
exposure to college-level material
through involvement
in an AP course administered by the
College Board
and taught by qualified, certified, and
dedicated high school
teachers. The program gives students an
opportunity to show what they have
learned
by taking an AP exam designed by
Educational Testing Service for the
College Board.
Colleges and universities that
participate in the AP program are then
eligible to grant credit placement or
both
to students who score well on the exam.
Students at Western Tech are encouraged
to participate in school activities that
promote and foster both
academic and social development. Although
student activities
change year to year depending on student
engagement and interest,
we hope this list of some of the
available organizations and activities
proves helpful.
Here you will find a list of athletic
programs offered at Western Tech.
More information on athletics can be
found at both the Western Tech website
and the Baltimore County Public Schools
Office of Athletics website.
All students at Western School of
Technology and Environmental Science
participate in a rigorous
academic program designed to prepare
students for any future academic or
career-based pathway,
no matter the individual magnet program.
All students at Western Tech are
provided the courses,
skills, and tools to succeed in either a
post-secondary academic
or career-based setting after high
school. Here you will find a sample
of the academic and career-based
pathways chosen by the Western Tech
Class of 2020.
Baltimore County Public Schools provides
transportation to
and from high school magnet programs for
students who reside
within the established transportation
zone of the magnet program.
Transportation is provided from a
limited number of pickup points located
at designated school sites.
Parents are responsible for providing
transportation for their students to
and from the designated pickup point.
Pickup points do not fall under the same
guidelines as regular bus stops with
regard to distance and walking
conditions.
In addition, supervision is not provided
by the school system
at the pickup points. Transportation is
not provided by Baltimore County Public
Schools outside of the established
transportation zone
of the magnet program.
Transportation to Western Tech is
provided for students who are zoned to
attend high schools in the southwest or
northwest areas.
Although bus stop locations and times
change on a yearly basis to accommodate
the changing school populations,
we have provided the 2019-22 bus stop
information
as an example.
We hope that this presentation has
provided some foundational information
on the Western School of Technology and
Environmental Science. More information
can be found on the school's website
and the website of the BCPS Office of
Magnet Programs.
Please feel free to contact both the
school and the Office of Magnet Programs
with any questions or concerns.
Magnet application cycle for the 2021 to
2022 school year.
Magnet brochures will be available on the
BCPS Magnet Programs' website
(www.tinyurl.com/bcpsmagnet) beginning September 8, 2020.
Magnet applications will be available on
the online application system
(www.bcpsonlineapplication.com/apply) beginning at noon on September 16,
2020. Magnet applications must be
submitted through the online application
system
by 1pm on November 6, 2020.
Application information meetings--learn
more about the magnet application
process.
Saturday, September 26, 2020--choose a
session 10 am or 1 pm,
or Wednesday, September 30th, 2020--
choose a session 10 am or 6:30 pm.
Meetings will be held virtually. Parents
must pre-register through the Magnet
Program's website
(www.tinyurl.com/bcpsmagnet) to receive an email
invitation.
High school magnet assessments--please
see the bcps magnet programs website
(www.tinyurl.com/bcpsmagnet)
for the most current information
regarding magnet assessments for the
high school magnet applicants.
