From the Director's Desk:

Choice Education is Nothing New at The CRTC 


Education choice is a hot topic these days, and no matter what side of the argument you come down on, it’s important to remember that students and parents across the Concord region have had access to “choice education” for more than 40 years now, with no cost to families for tuition or transportation. 


As a regional Career and Technical Education center, the CRTC serves nine school districts in all or parts of 30 area towns. CRTC students make a choice to apply to one of our 11 Career Pathway programs, and those accepted make a choice to commit to a two-year process that challenges them to invest their time, talents and energies in exploring, planning for and taking action on personalized education and career plans. 


One indication that students and families are increasingly embracing CRTC choice education is the fact that as regional high school enrollment dropped by 17% between 2008 and 2020, CRTC enrollment rose by 36%. And this year’s enrollment applications are coming in at a record pace, possibly due to the fact that the CRTC has remained open for on-site learning and focused on serving students for much of this COVID-impacted school year.


Some of the educational choices you’ll read about in this issue include a story that highlights how twenty-five first year students are participating in a workforce development grant program where they shadow Orthopedic Technicians and doctors at Concord Orthopaedics and earn dual enrollment college credits from NHTI. You’ll also learn how a Criminal Justice student used personal initiative to link information provided by a classroom speaker from Rhode Island to an internship with the Manchester Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit.


We continue to accept applications for the 2021-22 school year, and students in grades 9-11 still are encouraged to apply (though popular programs are filling up quickly). So if you know of anybody in search of a quality “choice education” that will give them the opportunity to jumpstart their future college and career ambitions, then please refer them to our website or office for more information. I’m sure that after learning about all we have to offer, their choice will be an easy one.

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