The National Team has named Whittier Tech a Distinguished School for Success with a Special Population

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School was recently named a Distinguished School by a national organization for exceptional student achievement.

Whittier Tech is one of up to 100 schools recognized this year by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators. The national ESEA Distinguished Schools Program highlights federally funded schools that have made significant improvements for their students. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act provides federal and state education agencies with additional resources for disadvantaged students to improve the quality of public elementary and secondary education.

Whittier Tech was one of two schools selected for this honor by the state’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Schools may receive an award of excellence in one of three categories. Whittier Tech is being recognized for its excellence in serving unique student populations, including the homeless, immigrants, English language learners and others. Approximately 50.5% of Whittier Tech students fall into a special population category.

Whittier Tech works to support these students through special classes, an inclusive special education program, early college programs, and extracurricular clubs and activities that support students’ social-emotional needs. Students participate in a mentoring program twice a month, where they discuss time management, goal setting, self-advocacy, mindfulness, and more. Students have the opportunity to participate in a co-op course after completing two years of their chosen course, which gives them valuable business experience in a real workplace before they graduate.

“We are honored to be recognized for our success in serving exceptional students. Every student, regardless of background, has the right to succeed academically and socially, and we are committed to providing this kind of positive and supportive environment at Whittier Tech.”

Whittier Tech will be recognized along with other honorees at the national ESEA conference in February 2023 in Indianapolis, Ind.

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