BEVERLY, MA — Beverly and Salem are teaming up with Essex Tech to offer more career technical education to students while they still attend high schools in their hometowns.
With interest in CTE paths soaring, and space limited in regional CTE-focused schools such as Essex Tech in Danvers, high schools have looked to expand those options for students while keeping them in the district.
Through the After Dark program, established in 2020, Beverly and Salem students access those CTE programs while earning diplomas at Beverly High and Salem High, respectively.
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On average, about 20 to 30 Beverly students have participated in the program each year, according to Beverly Superintendent Sue Charochak and BHS Principal Mark Thomas.
The partnership between BHS and Salem High School is the first partnership between public comprehensive high schools in the state.
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The After Dark program is open to juniors and seniors where students take classes in Beverly or Salem during the day, then take a bus to Essex Tech for CTE classes in the afternoon. Students can attain 900 hours of hands-on work experience required for professional certificates over a two-year participation in the program.
At Salem High School, students can participate in Automotive Technology and Medical Assisting programs. At Essex Tech, students can participate in Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Craft Laborers, Health Assisting, and Sustainable Horticulture programs.
By participating in the program, students earn industry credentials and have opportunities to access co-ops in their related fields.
(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)
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