Application Information for the 2025-2026 School Year

Prospective students must be in the eighth grade as of September 1, 2024, and their parent or guardian must be full-time residents of Hudson County.

PLEASE REVIEW: There is one application process for:

  • High Tech High School
  • County Prep High School
  • Academy of Career and Technical Education
  • Academy of Technology and Design

Your child's school will be determined based on their acceptance, the major they select in Section 9: Career & Technical Education (CTE) Major Selection and Portfolio on the application, and their Academic Score.

The application link will be available from
Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM to Monday, November 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM

 

Important Dates

Application Opens Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Application Deadline Monday, November 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Letter of Recommendation Deadline Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Counselor Submission Deadline Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Performing Arts Audition (Drama & Dance/Choreography) Saturday, January 4, 2025 (Click here for more information)
Performing Arts Audition (Musical Theatre & Dance/Performance) Saturday, January 11, 2025 (Click here for more information)
Musical Technology Auditions Saturday, January 4, 2025 or Saturday, January 11, 2025
Audio/Visual Production (Earl W. Byrd Center) Auditions Saturday, January 4, 2025 or Saturday, January 11, 2025

HCST High School Locations

  • Earl W. Byrd Center in Jersey City has two high schools:
    • County Prep High School
    • Academy of Technology and Design
  • Frank J. Gargiulo Campus in Secaucus has two high schools:
    • High Tech High School
    • Academy of Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Majors

HCST Major Name CTE Program Name HCST Location Sample Portfolio Link
Audio/Visual Production Radio & TV Broadcasting Technology/Technician (CIP Code 100202) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Audio/Visual Production/Broadcasting Radio & TV Broadcasting Technology/Technician (CIP Code 100202) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
Business Business Administration and Management (CIP Code 520201) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Childcare and Human Development Child Care Provider/Assistant (CIP Code 190709) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Cosmetology Cosmetology/Cosmetologist (CIP Code 120401) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Culinary Arts Culinary Arts/Chef Training (CIP Code 120503) Earl W. Byrd Center and
Frank J. Gargiulo Campus
Click to view a sample portfolio 1
Click to view a sample portfolio 2
DFab Architecture Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD (CIP Code 151303) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
DFab Commercial & Advertising Art Commercial & Advertising Art (CIP Code 500402) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
DFab Computer Programmer Computer Programmer, General (CIP Code 110201) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
DFab Industrial Design & Animation CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician (CIP Code 151302) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
DFab Wood Technology Cabinetmaking and Millwork/Millwright (CIP Code 480703) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
Environmental Science Environmental Science (CIP Code 030104) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
Fashion Design Apparel & Textile Marketing Management (CIP Code 190905) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Graphic Design Graphic Design (CIP Code 500409) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Graphic Technology Graphic Design (CIP Code 500409) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
Interactive Media Digital Communications & Media/Multimedia (CIP Code 090702) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
Kinesiology and Exercise Science Kinesiology and Exercise Science (CIP Code 310505) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Portfolio prompts
Medical Science Medical/Clinical Assistant (CIP Code 510801) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Portfolio prompts
Music Technology Music Technology (CIP Code 500913) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Networking and Cyber Security/A+ PC Technician Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (CIP Code 110901) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio
Performing Arts - Dance Dance (CIP Code 500301) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample portfolio
Performing Arts - Drama & Musical Theatre Drama & Dramatics, Theatre Arts (CIP Code 500501) Frank J. Gargiulo Campus Click to view a sample Drama portfolio
Click to view a sample Musical Theatre portfolio
Photography Commercial Photography (CIP Code 500406) Earl W. Byrd Center Click to view a sample portfolio

Standardized Tests

Standardized Tests Did Not Meet Partially Met Approaching Met Exceeding
NJSLA 650 - 700 701 - 725 726 - 750 751 - 810 811 - 850
PSAT 8/9 - Total 800 - below 810 - 860 880 - 940 960 - 1020 1040 - 1440
PSAT 8/9 - M 390 - below 400 - 420 430 - 460 470 - 500 510 +
PSAT 8/9 - EBRW 400 - below 410 - 440 450 - 480 490 - 520 530 +
NWEA 20 - below 21 - 40 41 - 60 61 - 80 81 - 100
IOWA 22 - below 23 - 40 41 - 75 76 - 89 90 - 99
TerraNova 24 - below 25 - 49 50 - 76 77 - 95 96 - 99
TerraNova - M Scale Score 633 - below 634 - 660 661 - 694 695 - 727 728 - 850
TerraNova - LA Scale Score 626 - below 627 - 658 659 - 687 688 - 717 718 - 814
TerraNova - R Scale Score 625 - below 626 - 655 656 - 686 687 - 716 717 - 810

Accepted students will have access to the following opportunities:

  • HCST Scholars Program - Top 5% of Applicants (Click here for Scholars Information)
  • CTE Dual Enrollment Opportunities
  • AP Classes: 26 AP classes offered district-wide
  • All students eligible for the Associate Degree in Science and Math from Hudson County Community College

Information for High Tech High School and Academy of Career and Technical Education

Information for County Prep High School and Academy of Technology and Design

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
      • Click here to view sample portfolios by major
      • 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?

Auditions

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)

Music Technology Auditions

  • Prospective Music Technology students will prepare a 1-2 minute presentation demonstrating their musical proficiency:
    • Instrumentalists and vocalists will prepare to perform a piece of music in front of the MAT faculty
    • Producers and beat makers will come prepared with an audio file (.wav or .mp3) of a piece of original music to play for the MAT faculty, this can be stored on a USB drive or emailed ahead of time to azhang@hcstonline.org.
  • Optional - Prospective students can bring a printed resume detailing previous musical experiences (middle school ensembles, lessons, self-taught, bands, etc.)
  • A link to choose an audition date will be sent to all prospective Music Technology applicants after November 11th.
  • Click here for more information.

Audio/Visual Production (Earl W. Byrd Center) Auditions

  • Prospective Audio/Visual Production will attend a workshop and interview with our instructors.
  • Optional - Prospective students can bring a printed resume detailing previous video work and/or experiences (middle school, classes, personal projects, etc).
  • A link to choose an audition date will be sent to all prospective Audio/Visual Production applicants after November 11th.

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.
  • 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.

  • An 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

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.