- For more information about SARC requirements, see the California Department of Education (CDE) SARC web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/sa/.
- For more information about the LCFF or LCAP, see the CDE LCFF web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/lc/.
- For additional information about the school, parents/guardians and community members should contact the school principal or the district office.
DataQuest
California School Dashboard
Mr. Philip Lutgen, Principal
- Principal, North County Trade Tech High
About Our School
Welcome to Trade Tech! We strive to provide an engaging alternative setting to high school students seeking preparation for college and careers through hands-on, project-based, STEM-centered learning. We are “More than just a school!”
I am often asked how our school is different from other high schools. Everything we do answers that question. Yes, we are a traditional high school in that we meet five days a week and offer English, Math, and Social Studies, but that really is the end of the comparison, as traditional testing measures don’t give the full picture of what we do. One metric I am very proud of is our 5-year graduation rate of 99% over the last 10 years, which tells me we are on the right track. We work with our students individually to prepare them for their future.
What really makes Trade Tech different is our focus on Relationships, Relevance, and Rigor. Students engage when they are a part of a team that cares about them. Our small classes and hands-on work lend themselves to students engaging in their studies. We focus on Intentional Teaching. We live by the belief that we need to teach it for them to learn. That may sound awkward, but students need to learn about their options and how to access them. We cannot just assume they know it somehow.
We are a school-to-career high school with a commonsense approach to learning. College and post-secondary education is what you do on the way to a career, but our society places tremendous pressure on students earning college degrees for the sake of having a degree. Unless a student has researched and explored careers, they do not understand the true value of further education, whether it is in the form of technical training, certifications, or college degrees.
Every one of our 11th-grade students is required to take a year-long Personal Finance course. This is one of the ways we are addressing society’s need for prepared citizens. We want students to learn about Credit and Debit, Bank Accounts, Job Applications, and Resumes. They learn how to do their taxes and invest earnings using accounts through online investment sites. They fill out rental agreements for apartments and loan applications for cars. In a nutshell, they learn about the financial future that awaits them.
So, can our graduates go to college? Yes! Our graduating seniors have been accepted to schools such as UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Berkeley, SDSU, Mt. St. Mary's, CSUSM, SNHU, Wyoming Tech, and Vassar College in New York. Many of our students transfer to Palomar College or Mira Costa College. Many have already earned college credit either on our campus or at those campuses.
Our clubs and activities are student-centered. In sports, we have flag football, soccer, and basketball. We are not a CIF school and on our best days, we are equivalent to Rec League. We have FIRST Robotics that has an amazingly rich, winning tradition. We have an Outdoor Club, Key Club, Fishing Club, and a Music Club. Students have also formed interest groups in popular cultural topics like Anime and Dungeons & Dragons.
The most important way Trade Tech is different is that we look at students as the individuals they are. Through our Advisory program, we try to guide each student to help them determine the strengths that will lead them to a successful career. Everything we do is focused on their short- and long-term goal setting and successes.
To graduate students with a strong blend of academic and workforce competencies necessary for future success in post-secondary education and in the 21st-century technical workforce.
School Facility and Planned Improvements
Trade Tech has a permanent home. All facilities were brought up to code and have no deficiencies in Gas & Sewer, Roof, Drinking Fountains, and School Grounds. The school is maintained by a full-time custodian on staff. At night, every room and area is attended to daily to keep clean and prepared for occupants. During the remodel, all mechanical systems were updated or replaced and have a contract for maintenance 4 times annually. Fire inspections are conducted annually and all extinguishers and safety systems are renewed annually. We received an exemplary rating on the FIT tool after the remodel was complete.
Principal's Comment
Relationships are the heart of what is happening at Trade Tech. An alternative school, and small learning community, we are able to get to know each student and support their individual growth while they are with us. Maintaining small class sizes in every grade level and subject area, as well as incorporating a daily Advisory program into our schedule, are key components to ensure individual attention and support for each student. Our ultimate goal takes us far beyond the four years of high school. For the staff at Trade Tech, the motivating concern is ensuring all students are on track for a sustainable future after graduation. Our program is designed to offer students multiple entry points to a fulfilling living-wage career within the context of the ever-changing economy of North County San Diego.
CTE Pathways are the co
Contact
North County Trade Tech High1132 N Melrose Drive, Ste. 501
Vista, CA 92083-3467
Phone: 760-598-0782
Email: plutgen@nctth.org