CURRICULUM

About Our School and Programming

Nashoba Valley Technical High School is a four-year public regional technical high school that opened in 1969 with nine technical program areas to serve both the technical and academic needs of high school-aged young men and women. Nashoba Valley Technical High School was founded in 1965 by the towns of Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton and Westford to provide career and technical education to students of this area. By 1979, the Nashoba Valley Technical High School District expanded to incorporate the three additional towns of Shirley, Pepperell, and Townsend. In 2012, the District grew once more with the addition of Ayer.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School underwent a major two-year expansion and modernization project in the early 2000s. An expansive overhaul of the athletic facilities was completed in 2013 including the installation of a track, tennis courts, new practice fields and a renovation to the football, baseball and softball fields. In 2014 an arts complex was added housing dance and art studios by remodeling an existing building on the property. Nashoba Valley Technical High School now offers twenty technical programs in a state-of-the-art facility.

Students take rigorous academic courses required for a high school diploma and entrance into post secondary education. During the freshmen year, students explore all technical program areas. In late winter, one area in which to major will be chosen. This exploratory program enables students to make realistic and informed decisions that reflect their needs, interests, and abilities. Students entering Nashoba Valley Technical High School in the sophomore year complete a mini-exploratory before selecting their technical program. Finally, post graduate technical certificate programs are available for all recent district High School graduates.

Daytime classes operate Monday through Friday from 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The school year is 180 days long. Instruction is divided between the technical and academic areas over a two-week rotating schedule. Academic areas for all students consist of English Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Languages, the Arts and Physical Education. All academic courses are rigorous and the curriculum is designed to prepare students for standardized testing, as well as college. Students are encouraged to apply for Honors level courses offered at every grade level. Advanced placement classes are available in all core subjects. In addition, we offer Early College programs for juniors and seniors seeking to earn college credits while enrolled in high school.

Athletics play a large part of the overall high school program. Extracurricular athletics include soccer, cross-country, football, hockey, track & field, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cheerleading, lacrosse, tennis, wrestling and golf. Varsity and junior varsity sports are available for student participation. No user fees are charged; however, athletes are expected to participate in required fundraising activities. In addition, other extracurricular activities may be experienced through clubs such as National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, Student Council, Drama Club, Mock Trial, FIRST Robotics, Yearbook, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Skills USA. A variety of additional clubs may be available each year based on student interest

Accreditation

Nashoba Valley Technical High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEAS&C), a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization whose affiliated institutions include elementary schools through collegiate institutions.

Accreditation of an institution by NEAS&C indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited school or college is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

In addition, all of Nashoba Valley Technical High School’s technical programs meet the requirements of state and federal mandates. Nashoba Valley Technical High School is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to award high school diplomas, technical certificates and post graduate technical certificates to its graduates that meet district and state requirements.