Essex Agricultural and Technical High School is an agricultural and technical high school located in Hathorne section of Danvers, Massachusetts. As of September 2014, the school has merged with Peabody Technical High School and North Shore Technical High School to form a new school, "Essex Technical High School" This new school occupies the North campus of the old Essex Aggie property.
The school was home to over 400 high school students.
There were 3 departments; Animal Science, Plant Science and Environmental Science. Students participate in hands-on learning using school-owned farm animals and farm equipment. The school is home to heavy machinery, many plants and various animals including horses, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, cows, snakes, and exotic birds.
Video Essex Agricultural and Technical High School
Curriculum
The Aggie requires the basic four parts of curriculum: math, science, history, and literature also allows for three different agricultural fields which students will choose after a brief trial. All students take MCAS testing, Certification of Occupational Proficiency as well as testing for higher education. The school uses an eight-day calendar with academic class on four days and agricultural on the others. Students also have physical education for all four years and a career exploration class offered by the guidance department.
History
Essex Aggie was founded in 1913 on land granted to the school by the decedents of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Since then it has expanded. In 2014, it merged with North Shore Technical High School due to financial issues, and so they could expand by having more up to date and refined facilities and working areas.
Academics
Academic classes meet every other 5 day "cycle" at the Aggie. Each year you will have five core academic classes which meet for 75 minutes each, including English, mathematics, history and a science. Beginning in the freshman year there is an honors level offering for each course in addition to the middle and basic levels of the courses offered. (as of 2011)
Science
Biology I, Biology II, Chemistry, Chemical Science, Physics, Environmental Issues
History
American History I, American History II, World History Post 1850, International Relations, Global Studies
Math
Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Algebra II with Trigonometry, Calculus
English
American Lit I, American Lit II, World Lit I, Modern World Lit
Agricultural
The Agricultural aspects of the Aggie are divided into three fields: Plant Science, Animal Science and Environmental Science. Plant Science and Animal Science are also divided further into specific fields.
Plant Science:
Greenhouse and Garden Center Management which prepare students for a field as a florist, floral designer, and an operator at either a greenhouse or garden center. Students work at an on campus greenhouse and take part in two flower sales every year one in December and the other in Spring.
Landscape/Arbor which focuses on construction allowing students learn basic auto maintenance, landscape design and construction and operation of machinery including lawnmowers, Bobcat skid loaders and tractors. It also focuses on the arbor field such as logger and allows students to maintain and operate chainsaws as well as climb trees and take trees down.
Natural Resources/Park Management which focuses on forestry, trail design and maintenance.
Animal Science:
Veterinary Technology and Equine Science focuses on the equine field and allows students to work with a dozen horses on campus.
Veterinary Technology and Research Animal Management which focuses on as well as prepares students for a field as a veterinary technician.
Companion animal and pet shop manager which focuses on preparing students for a field in animal care.
Environmental Technology
The Environmental Technology career area has a project-based curriculum that develops skills in environmental data collection and analysis focused on watershed issues, wetlands, and botanical diversity and its effect on the environment. Our field-based program includes forest diversity, wetland delineation, certification of vernal pools, monitoring invasive species, sampling watershed eutrophication, and measuring rocky shoreline species. Students learn to use computer-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a key component of our program. They are prepared for advanced study in environmental sciences or engineering, as well as for careers as lab technicians.
Maps Essex Agricultural and Technical High School
Extracurricular activities
Student groups and activities at Essex Agricultural and Technical High School include Aggie Awareness Club, art club, drama club, environmental club, equestrian club, National Technical Honor Society, natural health and wellness club, newspaper, outing club, peer leaders, tech club, and yearbook.
FFA is a component of Essex Agricultural that is very prominent, with 100% membership for all of its students. There are various CDE's in the focus areas that students compete in and go to state and national conventions.
The school's athletic teams, known as the Essex Aggie Rams, compete in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Commonwealth League; most teams are cooperatively run with North Shore Technical High School in Middleton. Teams are fielded in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
References
External links
- Essex Technical High School
- Essex Aggie Alumni Page
- Essex Aggie Alumni Facebook Page
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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