Western School of Technology and Environmental Science

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (WSTES), also known as Western Tech, is a public magnet high school in Catonsville, Maryland, United States. The school's main focuses are its twelve magnet programs pertaining to specific careers.[1] In December 2013, Western Tech was named one of six public Blue Ribbon Schools in Maryland for 2014.[2] On September 30, 2014, Western earned its status as a National Blue Ribbon School, becoming the seventeenth school in Baltimore County since 1994 to receive this honor.[3][4]

Not to be confused with Western High School (Baltimore).
"Western Tech" redirects here. For a high school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, see Western Technical-Commercial School.
Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
Seal of Western School of Technology
Address
100 Kenwood Avenue

Catonsville, Maryland

Catonsville
,
Maryland
21228

United States
Coordinates39°16′10″N 76°42′45″W
Information
School typePublic
High School
Magnet School
Motto"Respect the Tech"
Patron saint(s)Home of the Wolverines
Established1970
School districtBaltimore County Public Schools
SuperintendentVerletta White (interim)
PrincipalMurray "Buddy" Parker IV
StaffKutch, Tarah D. (Asst. Principal)
Martinez, Jennifer A. (Asst. Principal)
Grades9-12
GenderCo-ed
Enrollment931
Average class size24
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Light Sky Blue, White and Black      
Athletics conference1A
SportsSoccer, Football, Basketball, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Baseball
MascotWolverines
NicknameWestern Tech
Team nameWestern Wolverines
National ranking547
PublicationJostens
NewspaperWolverines Newspaper
Yearbookhttp://www.replayit.com/
Websitehttp://westernhs.bcps.org

Academics

Western Tech is currently ranked #6 in Maryland, and #517 among high schools nationally.[5]

Students must apply to Western Tech and the school can only accept a limited number of applicants. Therefore, the admission process is selective and competitive. Students must complete an assessment for the magnet program in which they applied to. Admission is based on these assessments among other criteria, including grades and attendance.

The programs offered are Academy of Health Professions, Automotive Service Technology, Business Management and Finance, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Technology, Graphic/Print Communications Technology, Information Technology (with a choice between the Computer Science or Networking Pathway), Mechanical Construction/Plumbing and Sport Science Academy.[1]

The facilities include a state-of-the-art garage (for Automotive), kitchen (for Culinary), salon (for Cosmetology), and mock hospital (for Health Science).

In 2010, these technologically advanced programs have earned Western the title of "Best School for Hands-on Education" by Baltimore Magazine.[6]

Western Tech currently offers 17 different Advanced Placement courses. Western also offers internships and parallel enrollment for students in the 12th grade.

Students

The graduation rate at WesternTech was 89.25% in 1996, 94.96% in 1997, and 94.91% in 1998. From 1999-2011, the graduation rate has been greater than 95%.[7] Also, over 95% of students have passed the HSA's.[8] The student enrollment has been as high as 1,070 in 2004 and as low as 434 in 1994.

Ethnicity Percentage
Asian 12%
Black 69%
Other 19%
Male Female
48% 52%

[9]

Student population[10]
199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
4346398731,0181,0121,0431,0371,0351,0361,0401,0701,0651,042975936885873890890926931

Athletics
The front of the school.

Western Tech does not have a field of its own, therefore sports must be played at nearby Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) or at other schools in Baltimore County.

In 2013, the Western Tech girls basketball team won the A1 Girls State Basketball Championship, beating Dunbar High School with a score of 46-40.

Western Tech supports 14 athletic teams in Maryland Athletic Conference 1A.

  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Track and Field
  • Tennis
  • Softball
  • Lacross
  • Indoor Track
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Badminton
  • Wrestling

Clubs and student organizations

Western has several eclectic clubs and student-run organizations, where most focus on some academic aspect.

Fire

On April 11, 2013 at approximately 2:30 a.m., two portable classrooms were engulfed in flames. Over 75 firefighters got the blaze under control by 3:30 a.m. Because smoke entered the main building, the school was closed that day. The cause of the fire is unknown.[11]

References
  1. "Western Tech School Profile". bcps.org. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  2. "6 Maryland Schools Earn Blue Ribbon Status". WBAL TV. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  3. http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2014/high-schools.pdf
  4. http://www.bcps.org/news/articles/article6747.html
  5. "Western School of Technology & Env. Science Overview". US News. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  6. "Making the Grade". Baltimore Magazine. September 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  7. "Graduation Rate". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  8. "High School Assessments". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  9. "Student Body". US News. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  10. "Enrollment". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  11. "School Closes After Fire Engulfs Classroom And Then Spreads". WBAL TV. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
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