PARAMUS, N.J. – Officials from Bergen Community College and the Bergen County Technical Schools have signed an agreement establishing a technology high school program residing at the College’s main campus. The inaugural class of approximately 20 ninth-grade students will enter the Applied Technology High School in September 2015. This four-year high school program will allow students to earn college credits that can be applied toward an associate degree at Bergen. This associate degree will enable students to enter the workforce as engineering support technologists, or matriculate to a four-year college to earn a B.S. degree in a related engineering or technology field. Hands-on technological training experiences, internships, and an industry-recognized certification will complement the academic curriculum.
“This program will create a pipeline from high school to college for students interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields,” Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D. said. “The curriculum will challenge students and provide unique synergy and consistency of instruction as they advance through their education and prepare to enter a critically important sector of the workforce.”
“The Bergen County Technical School District is proud to partner with Bergen Community College to offer students a CTE (Career and Technical Education) program that will enable them to earn their A.S. or A.A.S. in five years,” said Dr. Howard Lerner, Superintendent of Bergen Tech. “Applied Technology High School will combine rigorous academics with hands-on technical training to provide students immediate employment options upon graduation as well as preparation for postsecondary education.”
Students participating in the program will enroll in one of three tracks, each aligned with existing A.S. and A.A.S. degree offerings at the College: natural science and math, engineering technology and engineering science. Faculty from both schools will instruct the classes that prepare students for STEM careers. According to a Georgetown University study, 63 percent of STEM graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn a higher salary than individuals holding a master’s degree in non-science majors. The federal government estimates U.S. employers will add nine million STEM jobs by 2022.
“The Applied Technology High School initiative will continue the Bergen County Technical Schools and Bergen Community College’s commitment to educate students for an increasingly global and technical workforce,” said Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan. “As County Executive, I am proud to support this unique educational collaboration for students throughout Bergen County.”
Officials will finalize details regarding scope, sequence, schedules and application process in the coming weeks. Informational open houses will take place at both schools later this year – including one for members of the community, prospective students and parents Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in room TEC-203 at the College’s main campus, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus.
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 16,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.
The Bergen County Technical School District offers academic and technical education to students throughout Bergen County at their secondary school campuses in Hackensack, Teterboro, and Paramus, as well as vocational and technical training at the Adult & Continuing Education Division on the Hackensack campus.
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