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Scitech expands Chapter 74 programs, grows After Dark and day‑time vocational options
Summary
School officials described growth at the High School of Science & Technology (Scitech): new Chapter 74 approvals for daytime programs, an expanded After Dark program, partnerships for clinical placements and plans to use hospitality and transitions classrooms for students with disabilities.
School officials told the committee that the High School of Science & Technology (Scitech) has expanded its Chapter 74 vocational offerings and the city’s After Dark evening vocational program, aiming to create more local options for students who cannot attend Putnam.
“Right now, we officially have 3 daytime Chapter 74 approved programs at the High School of Science and Technology,” Scitech vocational lead Ms. Saez told the committee, noting that the school’s After Dark portfolio is also licensed and growing. She said Scitech now offers automotive technology, health assisting, information support services and networking, metal fabrication and advanced manufacturing (new this year), cosmetology (licensed last year) and daytime programs including business technology, early education and care, and medical assisting.
Why it matters: Expanding Chapter 74 programs across district buildings gives students more local options and creates alternate pathways when Putnam’s seats are full. Scitech leaders emphasized that the district must meet DESE licensing requirements for each school and that start‑up costs and teacher licensure are significant barriers.
Program size and services: Saez said the After Dark program and Scitech’s day programs together serve several hundred students; she reported the After Dark/day aggregate as “about 225” when describing the district’s vocational enrollment, and she separately noted 58 students within the school’s five daytime programs. Committee members and administrators acknowledged inconsistent counts in the presentation and asked for a standardized dashboard. Scitech staff said they have not yet graduated a Chapter 74‑licensed daytime cohort and therefore do not have complete longitudinal outcomes to report, but they can supply follow‑up and attendance data for committee review.
Partnerships and transitions: Scitech presented a list of community partners used for clinical placements and co‑op opportunities, including the Springfield Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, healthcare providers (Atrium, Life Care Center Wilbraham, East Longmeadow nursing), Tech Foundry, Springfield Technical Community College and local employers. Saez also described a transitions initiative that integrates three special education transitions classrooms into hospitality, early education and business technology instruction so students with higher support needs can train and earn credentials on‑site.
Ending: Committee members asked Scitech for a program‑level dashboard (attendance, graduation, placement, co‑op outcomes) and for clearer enrollment counts; Scitech staff agreed to produce the requested metrics.
