Application information for the 2024-2025 School Year

The application link will be available here on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 6:00 PM.

There is one application process for High Tech High School and County Prep High School. Your child's attendance at either High Tech or County Prep will be determined based on their acceptance and the major they select in Section 9: Career & Technical Education (CTE) Major Selection and Portfolio on the application. To make an informed choice, please review the HCST Majors Booklet Programs of Study and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Majors to determine which major is offered at each school. Your child's selection of major will play a crucial role in their school placement.

 

Criteria for Review - Student Responsibility

The student is responsible for the following criteria and will submit the information on their online application.

  • Section 4: Letter of Recommendation
    • One (1) Mandatory Online Recommendation from a classroom teacher
      • You must have your designated teacher's CORRECT email address.  There is a section on the application to input the recommender's email address.
      • Your selected recommender will receive an email to complete the recommendation form online.
      • Hard copies or emails of recommendation letter will not be accepted.
  • Section 8: Current Extracurricular Activities
    • What are your current extracurricular activities?
  • Section 9: Career & Technical Education (CTE) Major Selection and Portfolio
    • Select a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Major Choice
    • Portfolio
      • Portfolios are only accepted in the form of Google Slides from a personal Gmail account. Please be sure you share your Google Slide from your personal Gmail account with the public. If you do not share it with the public we will not be able to view your portfolio.
      • Your Google Slide portfolio must have a Table of Contents (TOC) and a maximum of 10 slides. Please focus on your chosen major for your portfolio.
  • Section 10: Admission Essay
    • Complete the following essays by using the bullet points to assist you in including important details in your answers.
      • Why have you selected this major as your Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study to pursue as a high school student?
        • What details of this major most interest you?
        • What experiences, if any, have you had that have prepared you for this major? (Experience not necessary)
        • What characteristics or qualities do you embody that have prepared you for this major?
      • What personal and educational goals do you want to achieve in high school?
        • How will this major help you achieve your overall goals in your future endeavors?

Criteria for Review - Parent/Legal Guardian Responsibility

The parent/legal guardian is responsible for the following criteria and will submit the information on their online application.

  • Section 1: Student Information
    • First Name, Middle Name, Last Name
    • Gender
    • Date of Birth
    • Address, City, State, Zip Code
  • Section 2: Demographics
    • Is the Student Hispanic or Latino?
    • Student's Race (More than one race category may be reported for the student.)
      • American Indian or Alaska Native - A person having origins in any of the original people of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains a tribal affiliation or community attachment.
      • Asian - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
      • Black or African American - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
      • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
      • White - A person having origins of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
  • Section 3: Current School
    • School’s Name
    • Counselor's Name and Email
  • Section 5: Parent/Legal Guardian Contact Information
  • Section 6: Sibling(s) Currently Attending HCST
    • Do you have any siblings who are CURRENTLY ATTENDING Academy of Career and Technical Education, Academy of Technology and Design, County Prep High School, or High Tech High School?
  • Section 7: Parent/Legal Guardian Questions
    • Why are you considering Hudson County Schools of Technology as the appropriate learning environment for your child? Include details about your child’s personality and learning styles.
    • Please describe any particular circumstances that have affected your child’s school experience (for example, specific learning strengths and/or difficulties).
  • Section 11: Electronic Signature

School Fees

  • HCST has a Notice of Intent fee of $600.00 for all newly accepted incoming high school students.  The Notice of Intent Payment must be paid before the Parent/Guardian orientation. These non-refundable fees will be allocated in the following manner:
    • Scholarship Fund $50
    • Student Activity Account $25
    • Testing Fees $125
    • Chromebook (Upon receipt of Chromebook, this fee is nonrefundable.) $400
    • Total $600
  • A $250 school fee will be due during the student's sophomore, junior, and senior years.

Criteria for Review - Guidance Counselor Responsibility

The student's guidance counselor is responsible for the following criteria and will submit the information on their counselor dashboard.

  • Overall recommendation for the student's social/emotional development based on:
    • Emotional Maturity
    • Shows Self Control
    • Integrity
    • Respects Others and Property
    • Fulfills Responsibilities
    • Listens and Follows Directions
    • Positive Social Interactions
  • NJSmart Information (if applicable)
  • Student's Attendance Information
  • 8th Grade First Marking Period Report Card
  • Transcript (Grades 6-7)
  • Standardized Test Scores
    • Examples:
      • NJSLA
      • TerraNova
      • Iowa
      • PSAT 8/9

Admission Review Committee (ARC)

The Admission Review Committee (ARC) is a school-based committee comprised of counselors, teachers, and administrators. The ARC performs a comprehensive evaluation based on the applicant’s grades, attendance, test scores, special skills, talents, interests, letters of recommendation, essays, portfolio(s), and audition (if required). Applicants are selected based on these criteria while considering the demographics of Hudson County.

Performing Arts Auditions

  • The following majors are required to attend an audition.  Click here for more information.
    • Performing Arts - Dance (Dance CIP Code 500301)
    • Performing Arts - Drama & Musical Theatre (Drama & Dramatics, Theatre Arts CIP Code 500501)

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Majors

Offered in County Prep High School/ATD

HCST Major Name CTE Program Name
Audio/Visual Production Radio & TV Broadcasting Technology/Technician (CIP Code 100202)
Business Business Administration and Management (CIP Code 520201)
Childcare and Human Development Child Care Provider/Assistant (CIP Code 190709)
Computer Programming Computer Science (CIP Code PENDING)
Cosmetology Cosmetology/Cosmetologist (CIP Code 120401)
Culinary Arts Culinary Arts/Chef Training (CIP Code 120503)
Fashion Design Apparel & Textile Marketing Management (CIP Code 190905)
Graphic Design Graphic Design (CIP Code 500409)
Kinesiology and Exercise Science Kinesiology and Exercise Science (CIP Code PENDING)
Medical Science Medical/Clinical Assistant (CIP Code 510801)
Music Technology Music Technology (CIP Code 500913)
Networking and Cyber Security/A+ PC Technician Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (CIP Code 110901)

Offered in High Tech High School/ACTE

HCST Major Name CTE Program Name
Audio/Visual Production Radio & TV Broadcasting Technology/Technician (CIP Code 100202)
Broadcasting Technology Radio & TV Broadcasting Technology/Technician (CIP Code 100202)
Culinary Arts Culinary Arts/Chef Training (CIP Code 120503)
DFab Architecture Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD (CIP Code 151303)
DFab Commercial & Advertising Art Commercial & Advertising Art (CIP Code 500402)
DFab Computer Programming Computer Programmer, General (CIP Code 110201)
DFab Industrial Design & Animation CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician (CIP Code 151302)
DFab Welding Technology Welding Technology/Welder (CIP Code 480508)
DFab Wood Technology Cabinetmaking and Millwork/Millwright (CIP Code 480703)
Environmental Science Environmental Science (CIP Code 030104)
Graphic Technology Graphic Design (CIP Code 500409)
Interactive Media Digital Communications & Media/Multimedia (CIP Code 090702)
Performing Arts - Dance Dance (CIP Code 500301)
Performing Arts - Drama & Musical Theatre Drama & Dramatics, Theatre Arts (CIP Code 500501)

Admissions Timeline




September 19, 2023

County Prep High School Open House Showcase (9/19/2023)

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - County Prep High School Open House Showcase (RSVP IS MANDATORY)
The following CTE Majors will have a showcase on this date:
- Computer Programming
- Graphic Technology
- Networking and Cyber Security/A+ PC Technician



September 20, 2023

County Prep High School Open House Showcase (9/20/2023)

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - County Prep High School Open House Showcase (RSVP IS MANDATORY)
The following CTE Majors will have a showcase on this date:
- Business
- Culinary Arts
- Music Technology



September 26, 2023

County Prep High School Open House Showcase (9/26/2023)

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - County Prep High School Open House Showcase (RSVP IS MANDATORY)
The following CTE Majors will have a showcase on this date:
- Audio/Visual Production
- Childcare and Human Development
- Fashion Design



September 27, 2023

County Prep High School Open House Showcase (9/27/2023)

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - County Prep High School Open House Showcase (RSVP IS MANDATORY)
The following CTE Majors will have a showcase on this date:
- Cosmetology
- Medical Science
- Sports Medicine/Exercise Science



October 1, 2023

High Tech High School Open House

Sunday, October 1, 2023 - High Tech High School Open House (RSVP IS MANDATORY TO ONE OF THE SELECTED TIME SLOTS)
9:00 am to 10:00 am, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, or 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm



October 1, 2023

Application Opens

Sunday, October 1, 2023 @ 6:00 PM - Application Opens



November 5, 2023

Application Closes

Sunday, November 5, 2023 @ 11:59 PM - Application Closes



November 19, 2023

Letter of Recommendation Due

Sunday, November 19, 2023 @ 11:59 PM - Letter of Recommendation Due



December 17, 2023

Counselor Submission Due

Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 11:59 PM - Counselor Submission Due



January 6, 2024

Performing Arts Auditions (1/6/2024)

Audition for Dance (Performance Division) and/or Drama
Audition requirements can be found at https://www.hthspa.org/auditions



January 20, 2024

Performing Arts Auditions (1/20/2024)

Audition for Dance (Choreography Division) and/or Musical Theater
Audition requirements can be found at https://www.hthspa.org/auditions



February 9, 2024

First Round of Acceptances

Friday, February 9, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - First round of acceptances
- Orientation Packet for the first round of acceptances due Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 11:59 PM



February 26, 2024

Second Round of Acceptances

Monday, February 26, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - Second round of acceptances
- Orientation Packet for the first round of acceptances due Sunday, March 3, 2024 @ 11:59 PM



March 11, 2024

Third Round of Acceptances

Monday, March 11, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - Third round of acceptances
- Orientation Packet for the first round of acceptances due Sunday, March 17, 2024 @ 11:59 PM



March 11, 2024

Non-Acceptances

Monday, March 11, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - Non-acceptance emails will be sent
- Appeal deadline is due Sunday, March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM



March 24, 2024

Appeal Deadline for Non-Accepted Students

Sunday, March 24, 2024 @ 11:59 PM - Appeal deadline for non-accepted students



March 28, 2024

Appeal Acceptances and Appeal Non-Acceptances Are Emailed

Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM - Appeal Acceptances and Appeal Non-Acceptances Are Emailed
- Orientation Packet for the appeal acceptances due Sunday, April 7, 2024 @ 11:59 PM



2024

Placement Test for Accepted Students

More information is forthcoming



2024

Parent/Guardian Orientation

More information is forthcoming



2024

Notice of Intent Payment Deadline

Notice of Intent Payment Deadline
HCST has a Notice of Intent fee of $600.00 for all new incoming high school students. These non refundable fees will be allocated in the following manner:
- Scholarship Fund $50
- Student Activity Account $25
- Testing Fees $125
- Chromebook (Upon receipt of Chromebook, this fee is nonrefundable.) $400
- Total $600