Sussex County Charter School for Technology

History of the Sussex County Charter School for Technology

The Sussex County Charter School for Technology (SCCST) has provided quality, innovative education for more than 1000 students in the last 12 years. The school first opened its doors on the campus of the Sussex County Technical School in 1997, as one of the first 13 original charter schools in New Jersey. The school began with a total of 25 7th grade students and 25 8th grade students.

As a public school of choice, SCCST must offer a premium environment in which to learn. The environment must exceed the current demands of education and strive to set new standards with innovative education and cutting edge technology. By offering technology based and integrated curricula combined with a safe, secure and “smart” facility, the opportunity for success becomes more prevalent and provides learners with an advantage.

In 1998 the SCCST expanded its available seating to 10 students and introduced a team-taught Humanities course, combining Language Arts, Social Studies, Philosophy and the Arts. Governor Christie Todd Whitman visited the school this year, commenting that the school’s integration of academics and technology “is key to the development of 21st century citizens.” Since that first year, SCCST continued to integrate technology into its curriculum and facility. In addition to integrated Math and Science learning opportunities, SCCST fills a as well as develop a strong Humanities and Arts program and integrated Math and Science learning opportunities.

In 2000 a complete computer lab was fully utilized on a daily basis and multiple computers were available in each classroom. In addition, any student who needed a computer at home were able to lease a computer from the school.

In 2001 SCCST introduced an innovative portfolio system designed to ensure that students not only learn and model key learning objectives, but are also able to connect academic learning to the real world. SCCST also became the only educational program in Sussex County to participate in the Signals of Spring program, an integrated Math and Science project carried out in conjunction with NASA scientists. A new part-time Music program was added to the school’s curricula, further committing itself to the importance of both technology/science and the arts.

In 2002 a mentor program was introduced into the school in which each teacher is responsible for the academic, as well as emotional and social growth of a small number of students. SCCST also formalized its “Caring Community” character education program to include a peer mentoring program, and regular team and community-building activities, facilitated by professionals. The New Jersey Department of Education presented SCCST with the Pioneer Award for vision, dedication and effort in pioneering the Charter School movement.

In 2004 the part-time music program was expanded to a full-time one, making SCCST the only middle school program in the county with a five day a week music program. The school was presented with a Community Service Award by the Department of Education for its involvement with surrounding communities.

In 2005 the charter for the school was renewed by the state and the state approved the school’s expansion to up to 200 students. The school continued its dedication to promoting both arts and technology by introducing Performing Arts and Visual Arts into its technical rotations.

In 2006 SCCST was granted a charter for the National Junior Honor Society and continues to have a large number of its students honored each year. 10 laptops were added to the school facility and the charter facility went wireless with a Smart Board in every room. The school also became a GLOBE Certified School – participating in the International GLOBE Science Program.

In 2007 the school purchased a number of lap tops allowing over half the school to be working on the wireless network at any given class period.

Beginning in the 2008 school year, a 6th grade of 25 was added. The school has purchase 30 Macintosh laptops which will now allow the school to train students “cross-platform.”

The school is currently in the middle of its expansion project, and is happy to announce that it will open its own school campus in 2010-11, just a few miles from the campus of the Sussex County Technical School. The two building campus will include classrooms, science and computer labs, a performing arts room, a “cafegymatorium,” administrative space and playing fields. When we open our doors next September it will be to our maximum number of students: 50 6th graders, 75 7th graders and 75 8th graders.

With the assistance of our foundation, The Charter Foundation for the Arts and Sciences, the Charter School plans to use is state-of-the-art facility to provide more middle school students with a higher quality interactive education and also to utilize the facility as a central hub to provide the surrounding community at-large with innovative educational, technological and cultural experiences.