High School Admission (2026-2027 School Year)

Eligibility Requirements

  • The student must be in 8th grade as of September 1, 2025.
  • The student and parent/guardian must be a full-time resident of Hudson County.

There is one high school application process for all of our high school programs.

School placement will be based on:

  1. Acceptance status
  2. The Career & Technical Education (CTE) major selected in Section 7 of the application
  3. Academic Score

Important Dates

 

County Prep High School/ATD Showcases
Click here to view the showcase presentation		 Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
8th Grade School Counselor Informational Session Friday, October 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
High Tech High School/ACTE Open House
Click here to view the open house presentation		 Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM or 12:00 PM
Application Opens Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Application Deadline Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Letter of Recommendation Deadline Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Counselor Submission Deadline Friday, December 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Performing Arts Audition
Click here for more information		 Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Dance: Performance Division
- Musical Theatre

Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Dance: Choreography Division
- Drama
Musical Technology Auditions
Applicants for Music Technology will receive an email after
the application deadline with audition details and requirements.		 Saturday, December 6, 2025
Audio/Visual Production Auditions
Applicants for Audio/Visual Production will receive an email
after the application deadline with audition details and requirements.		 Saturday, December 13, 2025

Virtual Tours/Student Videos

County Prep High School/ATD Student Video Click here to view the student video
High Tech High School/ACTE Tour Click here to view the virtual tour
High Tech High School/ACTE Student Video Click here to view the student video

Application Instructions

  1. Submit a Separate Application for Each Student
    • If you have more than one student applying, please complete a separate application for each.
    • Only one application may be submitted per student. If multiple applications are received, the student and parent/guardian will be contacted to confirm which application should remain active. All other submissions will be voided.
  2. Complete the Application in One Session
    • The application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save your progress and return later. Please be prepared before starting.
  3. Prepare Required Information in Advance
    • Before you begin the application, have the following information ready:
      • School Counselor’s contact information
      • Recommender’s name, email address, and phone number
      • Chosen major(s)
      • Student’s written essay(s)
      • Google Slide link to digital portfolio
  4. Email Verification Required for ONLY ONE Parent/Legal Guardian
    • One parent/legal guardian listed in the application must have their email address verified. This step ensures that we have the correct contact information associated with your student’s application.
    • A verification code will be sent to the listed email address. Please check your inbox (and spam/junk folder) to complete this required step.
    • The email address you provide and verify will be used exclusively for application-related communications. All updates, reminders, and important information about your child’s application will be sent to this verified email only. Please ensure you enter an active and regularly monitored email address.

STEP 1 of 3: Application - Parent/Student Responsibility

Important: It is the student/parent’s responsibility to complete and submit the application by Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

The application sections are:

Section 1: Parent/Legal Guardian Information

Section 2: Student Information

  • First Name, Middle Name, Last Name
  • Gender
  • Date of Birth

Section 3: 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 4: Twin or Sibling(s) Also Applying

  • Name and Date of Birth

Section 5: Student's Current School Information

  • School’s Name
  • Counselor's Name and Email

Section 6: Letter of Recommendation

  • One (1) Mandatory Online Recommendation from a classroom teacher.  Classroom teacher refers to teachers who provide instruction in core academic subjects such as Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
    • 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 7: Career & Technical Education (CTE) Major Selection

  • Primary Selection: Select your first-choice Career and Technical Education (CTE) Major.
  • You will be asked: “Would you like to select an OPTIONAL 2nd choice major?”  If you choose "Yes" to the question, you will be given the opportunity to select a second-choice major.
    • Disclaimer: Please note that while applicants are permitted to select a second-choice major on their application, it is very rare that admissions offers are extended through this option. Admission decisions are primarily based on the applicant’s first-choice program. Applicants should carefully select their first-choice major as this is the program that will receive primary consideration.

Section 8: Google Slide Portfolio Link

  • 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.
  • Click here to view sample portfolios. Do not copy the format, layout, or content of the sample portfolios. They are provided for reference and guidance only.

Section 9: Admission Essay

  • First choice major: Why have you selected this major as your Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study to pursue as a high school student? (Minimum 100 characters, Maximum 2000 characters - Characters means a text length of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and spaces combined.)
    • 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?
    • How will this major help you achieve your overall goals in your future endeavors?
  • Second choice major: If you selected a second major option, please explain why you chose it. (Optional)

Section 10: Application Deadlines, Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement & Electronic Signature

STEP 2 of 3: Letter of Recommendation

Important: It is the student/parent’s responsibility to provide the correct recommender email address on the application (see Section 6). If the email is entered incorrectly, the recommendation request will not be delivered.

How it works:
Upon submission of the student’s application, the listed recommender will automatically receive an email with a link to complete the Applicant Recommendation Form for the 2026–2027 school year.

Deadline:
The recommendation is due by Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

STEP 3 of 3: School Counselor Responsibility

Important: It is the student/parent’s responsibility to provide the correct school information on the application (see Section 5).

Deadline:
Counselors must complete and submit their section by Friday, December 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM.

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

  • Provide a recommendation for the student’s social and emotional development on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 indicates the highest level of performance:
    • Emotional Maturity
    • Shows Self Control
    • Integrity
    • Respects Others and Property
    • Fulfills Responsibilities
    • Listens and Follows Directions
    • Positive Social Interactions
  • State of NJ Identification Number (SID) (If applicable)
  • Number of absences
    • 8th grade (1st marking period or 1st trimester)
    • 7th grade
    • 6th grade
  • Total Number of Suspensions from Grades 6 through 8
  • Total Number of Home Instruction from Grades 6 through 8
  • 8th Grade – 1st Marking Period or 1st Trimester Report Card Grade
    • Math
    • Language Arts
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • Grades from the 6th and 7th Grade Transcripts
    • Math
    • Language Arts
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • The school counselor will submit any standardized test scores the student has taken from grades 6 through 8. Examples include: Iowa, NJSLA, NWEA MAP Growth, Start Strong, TerraNova, and PSAT 8/9.
    • Please note: The PSAT 8/9 is not a requirement for admission to HCST.