Tech center hosts open house

Students, parents and members of the public are invited to explore the 28 career and technical education programs at the Chesterfield Technical Center, 10101 Courthouse Rd., during an open house from 1-3 p.m. on Mar. 16. Teachers, administrators, students and business partners of the school will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate activities.

Through the tech center, students can enroll in a technical course and still maintain a college preparatory schedule at their high school. Students in some tech center courses earn college credit through the community college system.

Enrollment at the tech center has grown to 1,250 students this year from 1,000 in 2003- 04. To accommodate this growth and allow additional students to take courses, the tech center will add a second shift of classes starting in September. Second-shift classes will meet 3-9 p.m. every other day; students will have classes on Monday and Wednesday or on Tuesday and Thursday. On the other days, they will attend their home school during regular school hours.

The second shift will be offered in addition to the classes already available. Currently, students begin each school day at their home school and are bussed to the tech center every other day for classes. On the days they do not go to the tech center, students attend classes at their home school.

Students in grades 9-11 may apply for admission to the tech center. Applications, which are available from high school counselors, are due by Apr. 4 with acceptance letters being mailed on May 1.

Tech center programs include veterinary science, advanced computer aided design and modeling, culinary arts, plumbing and pipefitting, dental occupations, biotechnologies, Oracle, automotive technology, carpentry, landscaping, commercial photography, cosmetology and many more. For more information, call 768-6160 or go to www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/Schools/CTC.