Western School of Technology

Last updated
Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
Western Tech.jpg
Address
Western School of Technology
100 Kenwood Avenue

Catonsville
,
Maryland
21228

United States
Coordinates 39°16′10″N76°42′45″W / 39.26944°N 76.71250°W / 39.26944; -76.71250
Information
School type Public
High School
Magnet School
Motto"Respect the Tech"
Patron saint(s)Home of the Wolverines
Established1970 (Western Vocational-Technical School)
1993 (Western School of Technology and Environmental Science)
School district Baltimore County Public Schools
SuperintendentVerletta White (interim)
Grades9–12
Gender Co-ed
Enrollment931
Average class size24
CampusSuburban
Color(s)   
Light sky blue, white and black
Athletics conference1A
Sports Soccer, football, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, baseball
Mascot Wolverines
Nickname Western Tech
Team nameWestern Wolverines
National ranking547
Publication Jostens
NewspaperWolverines Newspaper
Website westernhs.bcps.org

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (WSTES), also known as Western Tech, is a public magnet high school in Catonsville, Maryland, United States. The school's main focuses are its twelve magnet programs pertaining to specific careers. [1] In December 2013, Western Tech was named one of six public Blue Ribbon Schools in Maryland for 2014. [2] On September 30, 2014, Western earned its status as a National Blue Ribbon School, becoming the seventeenth school in Baltimore County since 1994 to receive this honor. [3] [4]

Contents

History

Western Tech opened as Western Vocational-Technical School in 1970 alongside Eastern Vocational-Technical School, constructed for about $2 million. Students attending a regular high school interested in their school's vocational training programs could attend the schools for more specialized learning in 13 courses, such as automobile mechanics or cosmetology. [5] It accepted students from Catonsville, Woodlawn, and Lansdowne high schools. [6]

In 1993, the school was converted from a technical school to a full high school as a magnet school, alongside several others in the county. It renamed to Western School of Technology and Environmental Science beginning in the 1993–94 school year. It continued its technical programs, with additional environmental science magnets. [7] [6]

On April 11, 2013, at approximately 2:30 a.m., two portable classrooms were engulfed in flames. Over 75 firefighters got the blaze under control by 3:30 a.m. Because smoke entered the main building, the school was closed that day. The cause of the fire is unknown. [8]

Academics

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science received a 72.5 out of a possible 82.5 points (42%) on the 2018–2019 Maryland State Department of Education Report Card and received a 5 out of 5 star rating, ranking in the 99th percentile among all Maryland schools. [9]

Western Tech is currently ranked #6 in Maryland, and #517 among high schools nationally. [10]

Students must apply to Western Tech and the school can only accept a limited number of applicants. Therefore, the admission process is selective and competitive. Students must complete an assessment for the magnet program in which they applied to. Admission is based on these assessments among other criteria, including grades and attendance.

The programs offered are Academy of Health Professions, Automotive Service Technology, Business Management and Finance, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Technology, Graphic/Print Communications Technology, Information Technology (with a choice between the Computer Science or Networking Pathway), Mechanical Construction/Plumbing and Sport Science Academy. [1]

The facilities include a state-of-the-art garage (for Automotive), kitchen (for Culinary), salon (for Cosmetology), and mock hospital (for Health Science).

In 2010, these technologically advanced programs have earned Western the title of "Best School for Hands-on Education" by Baltimore Magazine. [11]

Western Tech currently offers 17 different Advanced Placement courses. Western also offers internships and parallel enrollment for students in the 12th grade.

Magnet programs

Western Tech offers 11 magnet programs for students who are looking for unique interest in career pathways to get them ready for college, and trade school. [12]

Magnet Programs

Students

The 2019–2020 enrollment at the Western School of Technology and Environmental Science was 892 students. [24]

The graduation rate at WesternTech was 89.25% in 1996, 94.96% in 1997, and 94.91% in 1998. From 1999 to 2011, the graduation rate has been greater than 95%. [25] Also, over 95% of students have passed the HSA's. [26] The student enrollment has been as high as 1,070 in 2004 and as low as 434 in 1994.

EthnicityPercentage
Asian12%
Black69%
Other19%
MaleFemale
48%52%

[27]

Student population [28]
19941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013
4346398731,0181,0121,0431,0371,0351,0361,0401,0701,0651,042975936885873890890926

Athletics

Western Tech does not have a field of its own, therefore sports must be played at nearby Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) or at other schools in Baltimore County.

In 2013, the Western Tech girls basketball team won the A1 Girls State Basketball Championship, beating Dunbar High School with a score of 46–40.

Western Tech supports 14 athletic teams in Maryland Athletic Conference 1A.

State championships

Volleyball:

Girls Basketball

Girls Indoor Track

Girls Outdoor Track

Boys Outdoor Track

Notable alumni

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References

  1. 1 2 "Western Tech School Profile". bcps.org. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  2. ↑ "6 Maryland Schools Earn Blue Ribbon Status". WBAL TV. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "2014 High Schools" (PDF). www2.ed.gov.
  4. ↑ "Not Found". www.bcps.org. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  5. ↑ Day, James (August 24, 1970). "County Opening 2 Multi-Million Dollar Vocational Schools". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "School board approves high school conversion". The Baltimore Sun . November 9, 1992. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  7. ↑ Maushard, Mary (January 7, 1993). "6 magnet high schools will provide choice for Baltimore County students". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  8. ↑ "School Closes After Fire Engulfs Classroom And Then Spreads". WBAL TV. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  9. ↑ Western School of Technology & Env. Science 2018-2019 Report Card
  10. ↑ "Western School of Technology & Env. Science Overview". US News. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Making the Grade". Baltimore Magazine. September 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Western's Magnet Programs". westernhs.bcps.org. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  13. ↑ "not found" (PDF). cdnsm5-ss3.sharpschool.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-12-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-12-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-12-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-12-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. ↑ "Search for Public Schools". nces.ed.gov.
  25. ↑ "Graduation Rate". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  26. ↑ "High School Assessments". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  27. ↑ "Student Body". US News. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  28. ↑ "Enrollment". MSDE. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  29. ↑ "2019 MPSSAA Fall Record Book" (PDF).
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "2019-20 MPSSAA Winter Record Book" (PDF).
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 "2020 MPSSAA Spring Record Book" (PDF).
  32. ↑ "Joshua Miles - Football". Morgan State University Athletics.
  33. ↑ "Joshua Miles - Football". Morgan State University Athletics.
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