New Jersey county vocational-technical schools have reached a milestone, with 337 students from the Class of 2025 earning associate degrees while still in high school. This figure marks an increase of 86 students compared to the previous year, indicating enhanced opportunities for students at these institutions. Jackie Burke, executive director of the NJ Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (NJCCVT), commented on this achievement.
“At a time when the traditional progression from high school to college to career is being examined, we are proud to showcase our county vocational-technical school model that enables students across New Jersey to customize their learning,” Burke said. “Our model is largely successful because of the partnerships schools have formed both locally and statewide to expand opportunities for students.”
Each of New Jersey’s 21 county vocational-technical school districts has agreements with local colleges and universities allowing students to earn college credits during their high school education. Dr. James Pedersen, superintendent of Essex County Schools of Technology and president of the NJCCVTS, highlighted the benefits.
“We are able to make college more accessible and affordable for students,” Pedersen stated. “Students get to sample college-level courses with the support of our staff and work toward an associate degree – the equivalent of two full years of college.”
In some schools, students collaborate with counselors to develop personalized plans for achieving an associate degree. Sussex County Technical School engineering student Owen Demeter worked closely with his counselor, Bina Varkey, to meet his program’s requirements and earn a degree from Sussex County Community College.
“The head start I had by taking concurrent classes at my technical school was the biggest boost,” said Demeter.
Varkey noted Demeter’s dedication: “He saw an opportunity and ran with it… It meant a lot to him.”
Eric Mora Jimenez earned his associate degree from Camden County College before graduating high school at Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS). CCTS subsidized his education costs entirely.
Jimenez expressed gratitude for his family’s pride in his accomplishments. He will attend MIT on a full scholarship this fall and aspires to work for NASA before teaching in the Dominican Republic.
The distribution of graduates includes:
– Bergen County Technical School District: 89
– Cumberland County Technical Education Center: 73
– Ocean County Vocational Technical School: 46
– Camden County Technical Schools: 22
– Essex County Schools of Technology: 22
– Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools: 21
– Hudson County Schools of Technology: 19
– Middlesex County Magnet Schools: 16
– Salem County Vocational Technical School District: 13
– Gloucester County Institute of Technology: 9
– Morris County Vocational School District: 4
– Mercer County Technical Schools: 2
– Sussex County Technical School: 1
