Western School of Technology

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
Address
100 Kenwood Avenue

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 (Western Vocational-Technical School)
1993 (Western School of Technology and Environmental Science)
School districtBaltimore County Public Schools
SuperintendentVerletta White (interim)
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
Websitewesternhs.bcps.org

History

Western Tech opened as Western Vocational-Technical School in 1970 alongside Eastern Vocational-Technical School, constructed for about $2 million. Students attending a regular high school interested in their school's vocational training programs could attend the schools for more specialized learning in 13 courses, such as automobile mechanics or cosmetology.[5] It accepted students from Catonsville, Woodlawn, and Lansdowne high schools.[6]

In 1993, the school was converted from a technical school to a full high school as a magnet school, alongside several others in the county. It renamed to Western School of Technology and Environmental Science beginning in the 1993–94 school year. It continued its technical programs, with additional environmental science magnets.[7][6]

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.[8]

Academics

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science received a 72.5 out of a possible 82.5 points (42%) on the 2018–2019 Maryland State Department of Education Report Card and received a 5 out of 5 star rating, ranking in the 99th percentile among all Maryland schools.[9]

Western Tech is currently ranked #6 in Maryland, and #517 among high schools nationally.[10]

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.[11]

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

Students

The 2019–2020 enrollment at the Western School of Technology and Environmental Science was 892 students.[12]

The graduation rate at WesternTech was 89.25% in 1996, 94.96% in 1997, and 94.91% in 1998. From 1999 to 2011, the graduation rate has been greater than 95%.[13] Also, over 95% of students have passed the HSA's.[14] 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%

[15]

Student population[16]
19941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013
4346398731,0181,0121,0431,0371,0351,0361,0401,0701,0651,042975936885873890890926

Athletics

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
  • Lacrosse
  • Indoor Track
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Badminton
  • Wrestling

State championships

Volleyball:

  • Lesley W. Cooke Sportsmanship Award 2018[17]

Girls Basketball

Girls Indoor Track

  • Group Events:
    • 1A 4x200 m Relay 2008, 2013[18]
    • 1A 4x400 m Relay 2010, 2012, 2013[18]
    • 1A 4x800 m Relay 2010, 2013[18]
    • 1A 2010[18]
    • 1A 2011[18]
    • 2A 2014[18]
    • 2A 4x200 m Relay 2015[18]
  • Individual Events:

Girls Outdoor Track

  • Group Events:
    • 1A 4x100 Meter Relay 2007, 2008, 2013[19]
    • 1A 4x200 Meter Relay 2007, 2008, 2013[19]
    • 2A 4x200 Meter Relay 2014, 2016[19]
    • 1A 4x400 Meter Relay 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013[19]
    • 1A 4x800 Meter Relay 2010, 2011, 2012[19]
    • 2A 4x800 Meter Relay 2014[19]
  • Individual Events:
    • 1A 100m 2007, 2018[19]
    • 1A 200m 2013, 2018[19]
    • 2A 200m 2014[19]
    • 1A 400m 2011, 2012, 2013[19]
    • 2A 400m 2014[19]
    • 1A 800m 2012, 2013[19]
    • 2A 800m 2014[19]
    • 1A 1600m 2011[19]
    • 1A 100 Meter High Hurdles 2006, 2013[19]
    • 1A 300 Meter Low Hurdles 2006, 2007[19]
    • 1A Shot Put 2008[19]

Boys Outdoor Track

  • Group Events:
    • 1A 2008[19]
    • 1A 4x100 Meter Relay 2012[19]
    • 1A 4x200 Meter Relay 2010, 2019[19]
    • 1A 4x400 Meter Relay 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013[19]
    • 1A 4x800 Meter Relay 2009[19]
  • Individual Events:
    • 1A 100m 1996[19]
    • 2A 100m 2014[19]
    • 1A 200m 2010, 2013[19]
    • 2A 200m 2014[19]
    • 1A 400m 2013[19]
    • 2A 400m 2014[19]
    • 2A 800m 2002[19]
    • 1A 3200m 2008[19]
    • 1A 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles 2008, 2009[19]
    • 1A High Jump 2006[19]

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. Day, James (August 24, 1970). "County Opening 2 Multi-Million Dollar Vocational Schools". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  6. "School board approves high school conversion". The Baltimore Sun. November 9, 1992. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  7. Maushard, Mary (January 7, 1993). "6 magnet high schools will provide choice for Baltimore County students". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  8. "School Closes After Fire Engulfs Classroom And Then Spreads". WBAL TV. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  9. Western School of Technology & Env. Science 2018-2019 Report Card
  10. "Western School of Technology & Env. Science Overview". US News. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  11. "Making the Grade". Baltimore Magazine. September 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  12. Search for Public Schools
  13. "Graduation Rate". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  14. "High School Assessments". MSDE. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  15. "Student Body". US News. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  16. "Enrollment". MSDE. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  17. "2019 MPSSAA Fall Record Book" (PDF).
  18. "2019-20 MPSSAA Winter Record Book" (PDF).
  19. "2020 MPSSAA Spring Record Book" (PDF).
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