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Polytech School District presents career-technical and adult-education programs, apprenticeships and admissions data to State Board
Summary
Polytech leaders and students told the State Board about roughly 2,000 annual participants across high-school, workforce and adult-education tracks, employer apprenticeship partnerships, a 40-student private nursing program with strong placement, a 15-year Department of Corrections adult-education partnership and a strict lottery admissions system for 9th graders.
Polytech School District leaders and students presented to the State Board on April 10 about the district’s career-technical education (CTE) offerings, adult education programs and employer partnerships.
Superintendent Dr. Kevin Dickerson described the district’s mission, core values and program structure, saying Polytech emphasizes safety, a supportive culture and hands-on career and academic learning beginning in ninth grade. "We just do our mission ... to inspire and support all of our students to achieve individual career and educational excellence," Dickerson said.
Systems director Jeremy Maxeyer told the board the district serves roughly 2,000 students across high-school, workforce-development and adult-education programs (slide shown). Maxeyer walked through CTE concentrations—including construction, industrial and aircraft maintenance, health care (including a private nursing program) and a new CDL program—and highlighted employer partnerships and certification pathways that lead to licensure and high employment outcomes.
"All these students who graduated last year, currently, a 100% of them currently have other their lists," Maxeyer said when describing outcomes from some healthcare programs; presenters emphasized strong connections between training and local employers.
Several students gave brief testimonials about shop rotations, certifications and on-site learning. One student said, "Polytech is my school. That's where I'm going," and others noted certification in Adobe Creative Suite tools and career-readiness skills gained through rotations.
On admissions, district staff said high-school entry is strictly lottery-based for 9th graders who apply in 8th grade; the district reported about 1,000 applicants and admits roughly 350 each year, with class sizes stabilizing as cohorts matriculate. Dickerson said the lottery produces demographics that reflect the applicant pool and that the district serves primarily Kent County but can admit students from other counties if transportation is available.
Presenters also described adult-education offerings and a long-standing partnership with the Department of Corrections to provide GED/GP and technical programs in level 4 and level 5 facilities, and said transition support for people exiting incarceration is part of the district’s workforce strategy.
Board members praised the presentation, asked questions about admissions and programs, and thanked students and staff for hosting the meeting. Vice President Stevens reminded guests to sign in for public comment as the meeting moved forward.
