Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School or Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District is located on an 80-acre campus in Rochester, Massachusetts, the geographical center of the five-member town school district that includes Acushnet, Carver, Mattapoisett, Rochester and students from Freetown & Lakeville Public Schools. Note that Lakeville is a member town while, Freetown is not and its students served are limited to around 90. Old Colony is affectionately known as OC, Old Colony Regional, Old Colony RVTHS, OCRVTH, & OCRVTHS. Old Colony is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.^[4] Old Colony is a "Full Time" Vocational-Technical High School. So Old Colony has an academic department (see below).

Administrative staff

Old Colony is its own district thus having a superintendent onsite, Mr. Aaron Polansky (Mr. Polansky's title is Superintendent-Director),^[5] replacing former superintendent Mr. Frank Cote. OC has one principal, and according to the school's website, Mrs. Karen Guenette has been named as the new principal,^[6] replacing former principal Ms. Patricia Fosket. The school also has a Dean of Students, Mr. David Harrison.^[7] The school has a Special Services Coordinator, Ms. Krystla Fay. The school also has a CTE Director and Assistant Principal, Ms. Jackie Machamer.^[8]

Post Old Colony

Graduates receive a high school diploma and a certificate of proficiency in their technical area of study. Old Colony's four-year program of studies allows students to directly enter the job market as skilled workers or to continue their education at any college, university, or technical school. Their Tech/Prep Program guarantees admission to Bristol Community College after completing the two-year courses at Old Colony. Also, college credit can be awarded for technical training received at Old Colony from Wentworth Institute, New England Institute of Technology, and Johnson & Wales University.^[9]

Transportation to Old Colony

Member towns

Old Colony Students from Acushnet, Carver, Mattapoisett, Lakeville, and Rochester take buses provided by Old Colony who contracts Reliable Bus Lines in New Bedford.

Non-member town

Freetown is not a member of the district thus they do not take buses provided by OC. Those students, in the morning, take a bus from Apponequet Regional and then transfer to a bus at Apponequet that takes them to Old Colony. In the afternoon, these students take a bus from Old Colony and the buses run on a limited Apponequet route. Buses for Freetown are provided by Freetown-Lakeville who contract First Student.

After school late bus

On days students can stay after, Tuesdays (if funded) and Thursdays, and take a "late bus" home. The late bus is only offered only to member towns. Freetown students can stay but they must get a ride home.

Vocational-technical programs

Old Colony offers twelve vocational-technical programs. All programs fall under Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) Chapter 74. These programs are commonly referred to as "Shops".

• Automotive Technology
• Computer Information Systems (Often Abbreviated to CIS) CIS is two programs under Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) Chapter 74
  • Computer Office Technology
  • Computer Information Technology
• Cosmetology (Often Abbreviated to Cosmo)
• Culinary Arts
• Computer Aided Design Drafting (Often Abbreviated to CAD Drafting or CADD)
• Electrical
• Electronics
• Health Careers (Often Abbreviated to Health)
• House and Mill Carpentry (Often Abbreviated to Carpentry)
• Machine and Tool Technology
• Graphic Communication and Design (Often Abbreviated to Graphics)
• Welding/Metal Fabrication (Often Abbreviated to Welding)

Related class

During the academic cycle, students have a related class. Sophomores have only one period of related every day, while juniors and seniors have two periods of related every day. This class teaches students curriculum that can not always be taught in shop. Starting in the 2013–14 school year freshmen and sophomores in the 2014–15 school year will have related one period out of their shop class. (It is currently unknown if that will be followed in the future for their full high school career.)

Exploratory program

The Old Colony Shop Exploratory Program freshmen students "explore" 8 six shops, four of their choosing and 3 chosen by the guidance department in most cases. Students explore shop related classes, during academic cycles, and shop classes, during shop cycle. Students partake in this program during the first trimester, (and into the second for the last two) of the school year and then are assigned their shop. Students will learn how competitive the work force can be because most shops can be very competitive. Students also partake in a course about OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the EPA, and procedures at Old Colony which takes place one day a week during related weeks. The students take a test on their last related week in related class.

Academics

As Old Colony RVTHS is "full-time" school so they have an academic department. Old Colony currently (2012-2013 school year) has 21 academic staff members (22 including the Librarian). They each fall under a sub-category.

English

The department facilitates:

• Proficiency in reading and writing skills
• Computer literacy skills
• Researching capabilities in accordance with the latest MLA and electronic documentation criteria
• Oral presentation and public speaking experience
• Literary exposure through classic and contemporary genres
• MCAS preparation
• Components for professional career and/or college portfolios^[10]

Math

The Mathematics Department implements curriculum aligned with the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks. The department uses a variety of instructional methods to meet the needs of all learners and to develop an understanding and appreciation of mathematics, especially as it applies to vocational areas. The curriculum prepares students for both the workforce and post-secondary education. As an extra-curricular activity, Old Colony has a Math Team that enters into math competitions. The department offers:

• Algebra I & Algebra II
• Geometry
• Precalculus
• Calculus
• Integrated/Applied Math I & II^[11]

Physical Education

This department offers Health and Physical Education classes.

Science

(As of the 2012-2013 School Year)

Freshman year

(College Prep Biology 1) or Biology 1

Sophomore year

(College Prep Biology 2) or Biology 2

Junior year

1 - College Prep Physics
2 - Principles of Technology 1
3 - Integrated Biology

Senior year

1 - College Prep Chemistry
2 - Principles of Technology 2^[12]

Social Studies

Grade 9

United States History I

Grade 10

United States History II

Grade 11

World History

Grade 12

Civic Education

References