Delcastle Technical High School

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Delcastle Technical High School
Established 1970
Type Vocational-Technical Secondary
Students 1,532
Grades 08–12
Location Wilmington, Delaware, USA
District New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
Campus Suburban (outside of Wilmington)
Colors Blue and White
Mascot Cougar
Yearbook The Artisan
Newspaper Trademark
Athletics Blue Hen Conference, Flight "A"
Website http://www.nccvotech.com/

Delcastle Technical High School is a vocational-technical high school in Wilmington, Delaware and is the largest of four high schools within the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, which includes Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Hodgson Vo-Tech High School in Glasgow, and St. Georges Technical High School in St. Georges. It is among the largest high schools in New Castle County, Delaware, with 1,532 students currently attending grades ninth through twelve.

Contents

[edit] About the School

[edit] Mission Statement

Delcastle Technical High School will provide a secure, caring environment of educational excellence where all students are inspired to become responsible learners, independent thinkers and productive citizens, within a dynamic global society.

[edit] Brief History

Delcastle Technical opened its doors in the fall of 1969; however, the completion of the auditorium and district offices was not achieved until 1972. Its unique name is the result of a contest that asked people to help name the school. The winning entry was the idea of one student to combine "Delaware" and "New Castle County." The school is arranged by three distinct wings: A, B, and C. The "A" Wing consists of industrial, construction, and automotive-related career fields; the "B" Wing houses Digital Media (including the television studio), Graphic Arts, Cosmetology, Technical Drafting, foreign language studies, and additional classrooms. The "C" Wing is generally comprised of academic classrooms, yet does include some career programs. Additionally, Delcastle Technical's campus includes the Marshallton building in Marshallton, Delaware and houses the medical and business technology programs.

[edit] School Achievements[1]

•Among the first in the country to be part of the automotive industry's work-based learning program, Auto-YES.
•The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce recognized the school's Pillars for Career Success (for grade 10) as a "Superstars in Education" winning program.
•Delcastle has received full Middle States accreditation.
•In 2003, Delcastle's yearbook, The Artisan, was the first yearbook in the state of Delaware to be offered in full-color.

[edit] Academic and Career Studies

Students of Delcastle Technical are offered various academic courses that meet or exceed current state requirements in addition to intensive career training in elected fields. Students select a career program during the spring semester of their freshman year.

The school utilizes a block-scheduling format in which students study different academic courses in the fall semester and spring semester.

In addition, there are academies at each grade level that are part of the daily school program, from the Delcastle Freshmen Transition Academy to Careers in Motion for seniors.

Supplemental to academics are the co-op experience, giving students the opportunity to work in a related business during the school day and take academic courses. In the past, students have worked at well-established places such as Bank of America and Christiana Care. Many students continue employment after graduation at these places while pursuing higher education.

Moreover, articulation programs have been established with regional post-secondary institutions so that students are able to earn college credit for technical instruction acquired in high school. Some of these institutions include Delaware Technical and Community College, University of Delaware, Wilmington University, and Cecil Community College.

[edit] Graduation Requirements

Number Required by State 22.00
Number Required by School 24.50
Average Credits Earned 30.30
Maximum Credits Earned 34.50

[edit] Academic Courses

A typical student's schedule includes all required courses in the selected career program of study as well as all required academic courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, safety/health, and foreign language if requested. Delcastle's academic curriculum is sufficient to provide its students the necessary skills needed for a post-secondary education.

[edit] Career Programs of Study

Students at Delcastle Technical choose a Program of Study in a career field that provides specific vocational/technical training. Course selection is based on the program of study chosen. Cooperative work experience is a part of the program of study during the senior year, which allows senior students to work in business and industry and receive credit. There are 23 career programs offered at Delcastle Technical, spanning six "clusters":

[edit] Business, Communication, and Computers Cluster
  • Business Technology
  • Digital Media
  • Graphic Arts

[edit] Construction Cluster
  • Carpentry
  • Electrical Trades
  • General Construction
  • Plumbing
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication
  • Welding/Fabrication Technologies
  • Technical Drafting

[edit] Health Services Cluster
  • Dental Assisting
  • Medical Assisting
  • Nursing Technology
  • Practical Nursing

[edit] Public and Consumer Services Cluster
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Production and Imaging Technologies
  • Graphic Communications
  • Digital Media

[edit] Science, Energy, and Drafting Technologies Cluster
  • Chemical Lab Technology
  • Electronics
  • Technical Drafting

[edit] Transportation Cluster
  • Auto Body
  • Auto Technology
  • Aviation Technology

[edit] Sample Student Semester Schedule

Class Period Course
01 Pre-Calculus
02 Pre-Calculus
03 Physics
04 Physics
05 General Psychology
06 Digital Media 12
07 Digital Media 12
08 Digital Media 12

[edit] Extracurricular Activities

Delcastle Technical offers a wide array of athletics and clubs to complement students academic and technical studies.

[edit] Athletics

Delcastle fields eighteen varsity sport teams that compete in Blue Hen Conference, Flight "A", which includes: A. I. duPont High School, Charter School of Wilmington, Christiana High School, Glasgow High School, Middletown High School, Newark High School, and William Penn High School.

Season Varsity Athletics Offered
Fall Football, Men's Soccer, Field Hockey, Women's Volleyball, Men's & Women's Cross Country.
Winter Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Indoor Track and Field, Wrestling.
Spring Baseball, Softball, Women's Soccer, Men's Lacrosse, Golf, Men's & Women's Track and Field.

[edit] Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities

  • Student Government, National Honor Society, Drama, "Trademark" Newspaper, Yearbook, SkillsUSA (a national vocational organization), Business Professionals of America, Cheerleading, Future Educators of America, Mock Trial, Cooks and Bakers, Crusaders for Christ, District Band, Book Club, Y.E.L.L. & KBG, Science Olympiad, Chess Club, Dance Team.

[edit] External links

[edit] School District

[edit] Cougar Athletic Updates [2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Delaware School Profiles - District/School Search
  2. ^ from DelawareOnline.com