Information for Middle School Students

CTE Information for Middle School Students

Are you curious about Career and Technical Education (CTE)? Great! Weymouth High School offers 10 hands-on programs designed to prepare students for both college and career success: Allied Health, Automotive Technology, Construction Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Drafting & Design Technology, Early Childhood Education, Graphic Communication, Information Technology, and Metal Fabrication.

All programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Who can take CTE?

CTE programs are open to students who apply and are accepted into the program. Participation is not automatic—you’ll need to submit an application during 8th grade.

Middle School CTE Exploration Opportunities

Weymouth Public Schools provides a variety of ways for middle school students and families to learn about CTE programs and other career pathways:

• On-Campus Assembly: All 8th graders attend an assembly at their middle school featuring CTE staff and students. You’ll learn about each program and have the chance to ask questions.
• Walk With a Wildcat: A special evening event for 8th graders and their families at Weymouth High School in the fall. Learn about program offerings and course selection before starting high school.
• 8th Grade Tours: All 8th graders are bused to Weymouth High to tour CTE programs. You’ll see students and teachers in action and get a sense of what each program is like.
• Course Selection Support: High school counselors visit middle schools in March to explain course opportunities and help with selecting your 9th-grade schedule. Classroom lessons and parent presentations are also provided.
• Online & Printed Resources: By October 15 each year, information about CTE programs, career pathways, admissions policies, and events will be available on the district website. Materials are offered in English and other languages as needed.
• Promotion of Events: Information about CTE and vocational school events is shared through school newsletters, emails, social media, electronic displays, and the district website.

Applying for CTE

New for the 2026-2027 school year admission cycle, we will be implementing a weighted lottery system for admissions (see the full Admissions Policy). This policy was mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and adopted by the Weymouth School Committee in October 2025.

To apply for CTE : Any student interested in CTE should begin by submitting an Application for Admission. These applications are available both on the CTE webpage and through the Grade 8 Guidance Office.
Application Deadline: February 1

Weighted Lottery System

CTE uses a lottery system to help decide who gets in. All applicants begin the process with 1 entry. You can earn extra entries to improve your chances:

• +1 entry if you had fewer than 27 unexcused absences last year.
• +1 entry if you had no serious suspensions last year.
• Maximum entries: 3

Families will be told the date of Lottery Day at least a week in advance. You do not have to attend.

Exploratory Program

Getting into CTE gives you a spot in the program, but not a specific shop right away.

• All students do Exploratory rotations to try different programs.
• At the end, you choose your first, second, and third choice.
• Students are assigned to programs based on how they did in Exploratory, what they chose, and available spaces.

Students in grade 10 or higher can sometimes be placed directly into a program with open spots. Weighted lottery rules still apply if more students want a program than there are spaces.

Students who want to switch programs during the year can ask the CTE Director. Approval depends on space, parental permission, and meeting CTE rules.

Bottom Line?

Your middle school years are extremely important to your success in high school! Do your best every day.