Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (WSTES), also known as Western Tech, is a public magnet high school in Catonsville, Maryland, United States. The school's main focuses are its twelve magnet programs pertaining to specific careers. In December 2013, Western Tech was named one of six public Blue Ribbon Schools in Maryland for 2014. On September 30, 2014, Western earned its status as a National Blue Ribbon School, becoming the seventeenth school in Baltimore County since 1994 to receive this honor.
History Western Tech opened as Western Vocational-Technical School in 1970 alongside Eastern Vocational-Technical School, constructed for about $2 million. Students attending a regular high school interested in their school's vocational training programs could attend the schools for more specialized learning in 13 courses, such as automobile mechanics or cosmetology. It accepted students from Catonsville, Woodlawn, and Lansdowne high schools.
In 1993, the school was converted from a technical school to a full high school as a magnet school, alongside several others in the county. It renamed to Western School of Technology and Environmental Science beginning in the 1993–94 school year. It continued its technical programs, with additional environmental science magnets.
On April 11, 2013, at approximately 2:30 a.m., two portable classrooms were engulfed in flames. Over 75 firefighters got the blaze under control by 3:30 a.m. Because smoke entered the main building, the school was closed that day. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Academics Western School of Technology and Environmental Science received a 72.5 out of a possible 82.5 points (42%) on the 2018–2019 Maryland State Department of Education Report Card and received a 5 out of 5 star rating, ranking in the 99th percentile among all Maryland schools.Western School of Technology & Env. Science 2018-2019 Report Card
Western Tech is currently ranked #6 in Maryland, and #517 among high schools nationally.
Students must apply to Western Tech and the school can only accept a limited number of applicants. Therefore, the admission process is selective and competitive. Students must complete an assessment for the magnet program in which they applied to. Admission is based on these assessments among other criteria, including grades and attendance.
The programs offered are Academy of Health Professions, Automotive Service Technology, Business Management and Finance, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Technology, Graphic/Print Communications Technology, Information Technology (with a choice between the Computer Science or Networking Pathway), Mechanical Construction/Plumbing and Sport Science Academy.
The facilities include a state-of-the-art garage (for Automotive), kitchen (for Culinary), salon (for Cosmetology), and mock hospital (for Health Science).
In 2010, these technologically advanced programs have earned Western the title of "Best School for Hands-on Education" by Baltimore Magazine.
Western Tech currently offers 17 different Advanced Placement courses. Western also offers internships and parallel enrollment for students in the 12th grade.
Magnet programs Western Tech offers 11 magnet programs for students who are looking for unique interest in career pathways to get them ready for college, and trade school.
Magnet Programs
Academy of Health Professions Automotive Service Technology Cosmetology Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Environmental Science Environmental Technology Graphic Print Information Technology Artificial Intelligence Pathway, formerly known as Information Technology - Programming Information Technology Networking Program Mechanical Construction Plumbing Sports Science Academy
Students The 2019–2020 enrollment at the Western School of Technology and Environmental Science was 892 students.
The graduation rate at WesternTech was 89.25% in 1996, 94.96% in 1997, and 94.91% in 1998. From 1999 to 2011, the graduation rate has been greater than 95%. Also, over 95% of students have passed the HSA's. The student enrollment has been as high as 1,070 in 2004 and as low as 434 in 1994.
Ethnicity Percentage Asian12% Black69% Other 19% Male Female 48% 52%
+Student population 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 434 639 873 1,018 1,012 1,043 1,037 1,035 1,036 1,040 1,070 1,065 1,042 975 936 885 873 890 890 926
Athletics Western Tech does not have a field of its own, therefore sports must be played at nearby Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) or at other schools in Baltimore County.
In 2013, the Western Tech girls basketball team won the A1 Girls State Basketball Championship, beating Dunbar High School with a score of 46–40.
Western Tech supports 15 athletic teams in Maryland Athletic Conference 1A.
Football Soccer Baseball Basketball Volleyball Track and Field Tennis Softball Lacrosse Indoor Track Cross Country Golf Badminton Wrestling Cheerleading
State championships Volleyball: Lesley W. Cooke Sportsmanship Award 2018 Girls Basketball 1A 2013 Girls Indoor Track Group Events: 1A 4x200 m Relay 2008, 2013 1A 4x400 m Relay 2010, 2012, 2013 1A 4x800 m Relay 2010, 2013 1A 2010 1A 2011 2A 2014 2A 4x200 m Relay 2015 Individual Events: 1A 500m 2011, 2013 1A 800m 2011, 2013 2A 500m 2014 2A 300m 2014 Girls Outdoor Track Group Events: 1A 4x100 Meter Relay 2007, 2008, 2013 1A 4x200 Meter Relay 2007, 2008, 2013 2A 4x200 Meter Relay 2014, 2016 1A 4x400 Meter Relay 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 1A 4x800 Meter Relay 2010, 2011, 2012 2A 4x800 Meter Relay 2014 Individual Events: 1A 100m 2007, 2018 1A 200m 2013, 2018 2A 200m 2014 1A 400m 2011, 2012, 2013 2A 400m 2014 1A 800m 2012, 2013 2A 800m 2014 1A 1600m 2011 1A 100 Meter High Hurdles 2006, 2013 1A 300 Meter Low Hurdles 2006, 2007 1A Shot Put 2008 Boys Outdoor Track Group Events: 1A 2008 1A 4x100 Meter Relay 2012 1A 4x200 Meter Relay 2010, 2019 1A 4x400 Meter Relay 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 1A 4x800 Meter Relay 2009 Individual Events: 1A 100m 1996 2A 100m 2014 1A 200m 2010, 2013 2A 200m 2014 1A 400m 2013 2A 400m 2014 2A 800m 2002 1A 3200m 2008 1A 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles 2008, 2009 1A High Jump 2006
Notable alumni Domonique Foxworth (class of 2004), professional football player Joshua Miles (class of 2014), professional football player
References