Apply to Howell Cheney Technical High School!

Current Grade 8 Students: The on-time RSCO application for Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester, CT for the 2026-27 school will open December 3, 2025 and close February 6, 2026. 

Current Grade 9 Students: Current Grade 9 students applying for a mid-year transfer or fall 2026 enrollment into grade 10 can apply beginning mid-November 2025.

Join Us for an Open House!

Students interested in applying for the 2026–2027 school year are invited to attend an open house at their local technical high school. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore our programs, tour the shops and classrooms, meet the staff, and learn how CTECS combines hands-on training with a high-quality academic education.

Howell Cheney Technical High School Open House: November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Cheney Tech’s Application Process

Students who will be entering 9th grade in the Fall of 2026:
The application portal will begin accepting applications for fall 2026 entry to Cheney, Goodwin and Prince on December 3, 2025.

Current 9th grade students interested in transferring into Cheney Tech, Goodwin Tech and Prince Tech for mid-year or fall admittance to will begin accepting applications mid-November.

CTECS is very different from traditional high schools.

Students who succeed here must be genuinely be interested in earning a technical education, learning a trade, and have a deep understanding of the rigor and demands of a CTECS education, including:

  • A 182-day academic curriculum being taught in 91 days each year.
  • The number of hours required to learn trade skills (both during school hours, after school, and beyond graduation in some instances).
  • Requirements of earning credentials, certifications, and licensure for specific trades.

We recommend that you take time to examine the CTECS website to understand some of the details of successfully earning a trade certification in conjunction with an academic high school diploma, which is offered to students who choose to attend a technical high school.

The 2026-2027 school year application portal will begin accepting new applications for the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) schools beginning December 3, 2025. Please check back then.

Current Grade 8 Students: All current 8th-grade students must complete an online application through RSCO. The deadline for applications is February 6, 2026. 

Current Grade 9 Students: Grade 9 students applying for a mid-year transfer or fall 2026 enrollment into grade 10 can apply beginning mid-November 2025, using CTECS online application.

Students who are interested in Trade Education.

Any eighth-grade student who is a resident of the State of Connecticut who expects to successfully complete eighth grade is eligible to apply for fall admission to ninth grade during the eighth-grade school year.

Any ninth-grade student who is a resident of the State of Connecticut who expects to successfully complete ninth grade with 7 academic credits is eligible to apply for 9th grade and/or fall admission to tenth grade subject to the availability of open seats at a CTECS technical high school.  Applicants for entry into tenth grade may be required to satisfy career pathway remediation plans to learn skills that were taught in ninth grade.

Student’s applications may be considered for admission through October 1 of their 10th grade year. CTECS cannot admit new students after this date due to the nature of our trade program requirements for graduation.

  1. Let your school counselor (if none, another school official) know you are going to apply.  
    • They will receive an email from the CTECS school district requesting information.
    • You will need their correct email address to enter into the application.
  1. Review the website of the school you want to apply for.
    • Confirm you are in their geographical region and are eligible for free bus transportation to the CTECS school.  You will find a map on the school’s website “about” page.
  1. Review the trade(s) you are interested in and learn about the m, including course descriptions and prospective jobs.  Be sure the trade you are interested in is offered at the school you are applying to by reviewing the school’s website under “programs”.
  2. Work hard and do your best in school this year!

Current 8th Grade Applicants for Cheney, Goodwin, or Prince only:

December 3, 2025: The On Time application opens 

February 6, 2026: Application closes

Late-February 2026: Placement notifications from the Regional School Choice Office.

March-June 2026: CTECS Registration

May – Summer 2026: A range of onboarding events are held for students who are in the admissions process for a CTECS high school.

Current 9th Grade Transfer Applicants only:

The application for 9th grade transfers will open mid-November 2025.

NOTE:  Transfer admission are subject to the availability of open seats at a CTECS technical high school. 

What’s it like attending
CHENEY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL?
Learn more in this video!

Career Technical Education prepares
LEARNERS FOR THE FUTURE
while closing the skills gap.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRADES

More Resources

Questions About Applying?

Please Contact:

Regina Moye, Director of School Counseling and Admissions
Regina.Moye@cttech.org 
860-649-5396