The Morris County School of Technology (MCVTS or MCST) is a vocational magnet public high school located in Denville Township, in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as part of the Morris County Vocational School District. This school prepares high school students for future careers, through its academy programs, each focusing on a particular trade as well as an advanced college preparatory program. Students apply to one of the 10 different academies in a process that starts the 8th grade year of local students. The highly competitive process begins with a general admissions test and is followed by group interviews on an academy basis. The school had an overall acceptance rate of 30% in 2016.
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 839 students and 75.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1. There were 36 students (4.3% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 11 (1.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.School data for Morris County School Of Technology, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.
The district and its schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools until July 2031.Morris County Vocational School District, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed December 21, 2024.
Awards, recognition and rankings In September 2013, the school was one of 15 in New Jersey to be recognized by the United States Department of Education as part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, an award called the "most prestigious honor in the United States' education system" and which Education Secretary Arne Duncan described as schools that "represent examples of educational excellence".Rundquist, Jeanette. "15 N.J. schools named as national 'Blue Ribbon' winners", The Star-Ledger, September 24, 2013. Accessed September 25, 2013. "Five Catholic schools, six county vocational-technical schools and a Yeshiva are among the list of honored schools in New Jersey. Also named as 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools were Dover, Harrison and Wildwood high schools."2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Private, pp. 15-17. United States Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Accessed September 25, 2013.
In its listing of "America's Best High Schools 2016", the school was ranked 158th out of 500 best high schools in the country; it was ranked 27th among all high schools in New Jersey.Staff. "America's Best High Schools 2016", Newsweek. Accessed November 11, 2016.
Schooldigger.com ranked the school 25th out of 381 public high schools statewide in its 2011 rankings (a decrease of 9 positions from the 2010 ranking) which were based on the combined percentage of students classified as proficient or above proficient on the mathematics (95.7%) and language arts literacy (98.8%) components of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).New Jersey High School Rankings: 11th Grade HSPA Language Arts Literacy & HSPA Math 2010-2011, Schooldigger.com. Accessed February 23, 2012.
USNews.com ranked the school the 112th in New Jersey High Schools in its 2026 ranking.
Niche.com ranked the school the 51st ut of 428 in New Jersey High Public High Schools oin its 2026 ranking
History The school started as a share time and adult program in 1969 and has now evolved into a full-time technical high school as well as one of the more respected schools in the Morris County area. The school still has share time students and adult programs although it will slowly start to dissolve the share time program to accommodate more kids in the full-time academies. The first year that this school started its full-time program was in 2004. 2007 marks the year that the school will finally have their first full-time graduate students. This initial group was only about 35 students and now the school has grown to serve over 400 students.
The school's adult education program includes all the academies that students can choose and the program is usually at night. The school is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education, by the Council on Occupational Education and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1989.
Academy graduates will qualify for post-secondary education at the college level, gain admission to technical schools, or be ready for entry-level employment. Graduates of MCST have gone on to schools related to their academies. Many acquire college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start on a college education at significant cost savings.
Admissions The Morris County School of Technology has a rigorous admissions process that makes it one of the most difficult schools to get into in the Morris County area. There are four phases to the admissions process
Phase one Students will submit their initial applications with their 7th grade transcript as well as a teacher and counselor recommendation. They will also select their desired academy. This phase typically lasts from September to December.
Phase two Students take the admissions test on a day selected during phase one, which is used to determine class placement should the student be accepted.
Phase three Students at or above the minimum score for their desired academy (determined after test administration) will be entered into the random selection process. Applicants who do not meet the minimum score will receive a notice of non-acceptance.
Pre-2021 phase three Prior to 2021, students would complete a group interview instead of the random selection process. This interview included general questions about the student's goals and why they want to attend the school, as well as a task to complete with a fellow interviewee related to their desired academy.
Phase four Students will be notified of their acceptance or waitlist position after the random selection process has taken place. Accepted students will accept or decline their offer of admission during this phase.
Full-time academies
Academy for Health Care Sciences The Academy of Health Care Sciences prepares students for the field of medicine. Throughout the years, students take classes in dynamics of health care, medical terminology, clinical practicum, clinical research, nutrition, medical math, anatomy and physiology I & II, along with other important classes related to their field. Students participate in lab dissections such as a sheep's heart during their freshman year, a fetal pig during their sophomore year, and a cat during their junior year. Sophomore year, students have the chance to volunteer and help teach students with cerebral palsy. Junior year, part of the curriculum entails clinical experience by having the chance to interact with patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Also, in certain subjects, students have the chance to earn college credits from Rutgers University after passing the requisite tests. Seniors can attend a dual enrollment program at the County College of Morris or can complete a capstone project."Morris County School of Technology 2023-2024 Course Guide". Accessed 28 January 2024. Students from the healthcare academy have a high percent matriculate to the top schools in the nation with recent graduates being accepted to Boston College, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University. Several students a year also matriculate to the Ivy League, recently including Harvard University, Princeton University, Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania. A number of other students choose to attend 7 or 8 year dental programs as well as 7 to 8 year medical programs.
Academy for Visual and Performing Arts This academy prepares students for a career in the performing arts fields. Students can major in Dance, Theater, or Vocal Performance. The Dance program focuses on modern, jazz, and ballet technique. Students in the Theater program focus on all aspects of performing and backstage work, including acting, directing, and theatrical design. The vocal performance program focuses on ensemble and solo vocal performances and teaching various aspects of music theory. Students interact with professional guest artists currently working in the field and are able to see productions in New York City. Students applying to the VPA academy are required to audition for the academy as well as completing the basic admissions process. Students in this academy currently attend Morris Knolls High School. Twelfth grade students can attend a dual enrollment program at the County College of Morris or can complete a set of capstone coursework.
Academy for Multimedia This academy prepares students for careers in film, photography, and broadcasting. This academy had been part of the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, but split when the VPA program moved to Morris Knolls High School. The Multimedia academy focuses on digital art, film, and photography, with students working mostly on computers to create movies and graphic art. Twelfth grade students can attend a dual enrollment program at the County College of Morris. Alternatively, twelfth grade students can complete a capstone project.
Academy for Education and Learning This academy is designed to provide first-hand experience for its students who would like to work with children upon graduation. Students get the opportunity to observe and to teach a class of preschool-aged children each class. They are required to do a year-long child study and to eventually teach an individual day among other projects. Students in twelfth grade can attend a dual enrollment program through either County College of Morris or Centenary University, or can complete an alternative capstone project.
Academy for Computer and Information Sciences The academy prepares students for careers in computer programming and IT. Ninth grade students learn how to program in Java and do exploratory work into a variety of computer-related career paths, such as video game design, web design, and computer hardware. Tenth grade students take AP Computer Science Principles and learn the basics of software design and how to handle clients. Eleventh grade students take a class on emerging technologies, currently learning the fundamentals of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.Academy for Computer & Information Sciences Program Page. Accessed 28 January 2024. These students are also required to take the AP Computer Science A exam. Twelfth grade students can attend a dual enrollment program with either the County College of Morris or Montclair State University. Alternatively, students can complete an academic capstone and are free to choose from a variety of projects, including but not limited to robotics and computer programming. This academy also organizes HackMCST, the school's annual hackathon.
Academy for Design The Academy for Design provides strong foundational skills for diverse careers in the creative field. Students explore a wide range of creative disciplines and develop their abilities through hands-on study. The program helps students create a strong professional portfolio while developing creative thinking problem-solving, and design skills.
Freshman Year Studies: Drawing I, Two-Dimensional Design, Color Theory, Digital Design (Adobe inDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
Sophomore Year Studies Include: Drawing II, Three-Dimensional Design, Digital Photography, Graphic Design Studio (Client Experience)
Junior Year Studies: Spatial Analysis (Architecture/Interior Design), Form Development, Understanding Human Form, Animation, Web Design (Personal Portfolio Sites)
Senior year students can attend a dual enrollment program at the County College of Morris or can complete a capstone project.