General Information 

We are excited that you are interested in BCIT. Below you will find a list of questions that can answer many of your inquiries. Should you need further assistance, please contact the Office of Admissions. Thank you.

1. What is Career and Technical Education?

The NJ Department of Education defines Career and Technical education (CTE) as "an educational option that provides learners the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials, college credit, and workplace experiences incorporating a rigorous academic core coupled with a high-level technical curriculum.” CTE allows students to learn a skill in high school that can lead directly to employment or further education including a four-year college.

2. Where is BCIT located?

Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) has two locations: Medford and Westampton. The Medford campus is located off of Route 70 at 10 Hawkin Road. The Westampton campus is off of Route 541 at 695 Woodlane Rd. Students are assigned a campus based on the municipality in which they live, unless the student selects a career major that is only offered at a particular campus. Please see this link for your default campus.

3. How much does it cost to attend BCIT?

BCIT is a free, public high school option for Burlington County students. Costs associated with attending BCIT are covered by your sending school, including transportation.

4. How do I know which campus I will attend?

Students are assigned a campus based on the municipality in which they live, unless the student has selected a career major that is only offered at a particular campus. Please see this link for your default campus. Please see information on the Exploratory program for more information on career major selection.

5. How many students attend BCIT?

There are approximately 800 students at the Medford campus and approximately 1200 students attending the Westampton campus.

6. I have more questions, who do I contact?

If a student has additional questions, please email the Office of Admissions for a prompt response at admissions@burlcoschools.org. Students/parents may also call, but during peak times, you will receive a faster response by communicating via email.

7. Can I tour the BCIT campus?

Of course! If students are interested in having a small group tour of either campus, please email admissions@burlcoschools.org to schedule a convenient time to visit a campus during the regular school day; all students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We also offer Discovery Night each fall at both campuses so that students/parents can see the school and programs as well as meet the teachers and staff. Please follow our Twitter and Facebook pages for announcements about Discovery Night and other events.

8. Do you allow prospective students to shadow current BCIT students?

Due to the safety of our current and prospective students, we do not allow non-enrolled students to shadow current students or tour the building without their parent or guardian present.

9. Is there a dress code at BCIT?

Yes, students are required to comply with the dress code policy outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook. Please visit this link for more information on the BCIT dress code..

10. Does the BCIT dress code apply to the Career Major Area?

Certain career major programs require additional personal protective equipment that can usually be worn over your daily, dress code-compliant clothing. Please see the Parent/Student Handbook for details on each career major for which the student is interested in attending.

Application Process

1. How do I apply to BCIT?

Students and parents/guardians must complete the online application found on the Admissions Homepage. Our application is fully online, so students/parents can fill it out and upload the required documents to expedite the student’s application process.  Applications are not complete until a student supplies the Office of Admissions with the following documents and takes an Admissions Exam:

• Previous year report card

• Previous year behavior record

• Previous year attendance record

• Current year report card

• Current year behavior record

• Current year attendance record

• COPY of your birth certificate

Your school records can be obtained by contacting your school’s guidance department. Some schools participate in our online application system and can quickly send us these documents. Please inquire with your school regarding their participation in this process.

2. Who can apply to BCIT?

BCIT accepts new students who will be entering grades 9 or 10 during the 2023-2024 school year; please visit our application to apply. 

3. How are applicants evaluated for admission to BCIT?

Students are evaluated based on their current grades, current attendance, and current behavior records as well as their previous year grades, previous year attendance, and previous year behavior, in addition to a computer-based entrance exam in mathematics and language arts. This exam also serves to place students into their academic classes at BCIT.

4. How many students are accepted to BCIT each year?

Each year, BCIT can accept approximately 600 freshmen: 250 to the Medford campus and 350 to the Westampton campus. The number of available spots for sophomores varies each year, but is typically less than 60 total sophomores accepted between both campuses.

5. I started high school at another school. Can I transfer to BCIT?

Some programs must be started as a freshman (Sports Medicine, Allied Health, Dental Occupations, and Cosmetology) in order to acquire enough hours to qualify to take their industry-based certification/licensing exam. If a student previously attended a Career and Technical Education school in another county or state, please contact the Office of Admissions to inquire about transferring to BCIT. Please note that transfers are evaluated on an individual basis and depend on the course sequence at the previous school and similar course offerings.

6. I am interested in the Performing Arts. Do I have to audition?

Yes! The Academy of Performing Arts auditions prospective students after the students have been accepted to BCIT from an academic standpoint.

Sports and Activities

1. Can I still play sports if I attend BCIT?

BCIT offers a variety of sports at each campus. If a sport is not offered at BCIT, students are eligible to play that sport at their home school in accordance with NJSIAA regulations. BCIT does not provide transportation to your sending district for practices or games. Please contact your sending district’s transportation department for possible options for transporting back to district for games and practices.

BCIT offers the following sports:

Medford Campus:

Boys and Girls Cross Country

Boys and Girls Soccer

Field Hockey

Winter Sports:

Boys and Girls Basketball

Boys and Girls Bowling

Cheerleading

Spring Sports:

Baseball  

Softball

Westampton Campus:

Boys and Girls Cross Country

Boys and Girls Soccer

Winter Sports:

Boys and Girls Basketball

Boys and Girls Bowling

Cheerleading

Wrestling

Spring Sports:

Baseball  

Softball

2. Can I still participate in Marching Band if I attend BCIT?

Just as with athletics, a student can participate in a program at his or her sending school if program is not offered at BCIT. If a student is told otherwise, they should contact the BCIT Admissions department immediately so we may advocate on the student’s behalf.

3. What clubs are offered at BCIT?

Clubs are subject to change based on student interest. During the 2015-2016 school year, BCIT offered the following clubs:

Medford

DECA

Scheduling

1. Can I take Honors or other Advanced Placement classes if I attend BCIT?

Yes, your parents/guardians can request Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes or you if you qualify, we will offer the classes to you. Additionally, The Electronics Computer Engineering Technology Academy cohort will have the opportunity to take Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) classes for college credit.

BCIT offers the following AP Courses:

AP World History

AP English Literature

AP English Composition

AP Chemistry

2. Will BCIT accommodate my IEP or 504 plan?

Yes, BCIT has a fully staffed Child Study Team that will support the needs of classified students. BCIT also accommodates 504 Plans for students that require a plan. 504 Plans must be renewed yearly and if you are a new student to BCIT, it is recommended that you communicate your child’s 504 plan to your guidance counselor or the administration.

3. What time does the school day start? When does it end?

The day is divided into 4 blocks, each 80 minutes long, with 40 minutes for lunch and transition time to get to each of your classes. See below for the schedule specific to you campus.

BCIT Westampton Bell Schedule

BCIT Medford Bell Schedule

4. I heard you have a block schedule. What does that mean?

BCIT classes are offered in 80-minute blocks. Students take 4 classes at a time for one semester (half of the year) and then switch to 4 new classes for the second semester. This allows more in-depth learning and hands-on activities to be facilitated during each class meeting.

BCIT Westampton Bell Schedule

BCIT Medford Bell Schedule    

5. What time is lunch?

Lunch takes place during third block, which is divided into 3A, 3B and 3C lunch periods. Each 40-minute lunch period offers a variety of lunch choices for you to purchase. Your schedule will inform you to which lunch period you are assigned; the other two portions of third block will be spent in an academic or shop class.

BCIT Westampton Lunch Bell Schedule

BCIT Medford Lunch Bell Schedule       

Certifications

Students may qualify for the following industry-based credentials if enrolled in the respective career major:

Transportation

1. Am I responsible for my own transportation to campus every day?

No; your sending district will provide transportation to your assigned campus every day. You should receive transportation information near the end of August. If you have any questions, please reach out to your sending district directly.

2. Is there a late bus for afterschool activities?

Each campus provides late buses for sports and activities.  Departure times for the late bus may vary depending on the after school program.

College and Work After High School

1. Can I go to college if I go to BCIT?

Absolutely, BCIT offers the core classes that will qualify you to attend any institution of your choice.  Please speak to your guidance counselor for college and career planning.

2. How many students go on to college after BCIT?

Approximately 80% of the students go on to either college (2-year or 4-year) or a post-secondary technical school to further their education.

3. Does BCIT help me get a job after graduation?

Yes! The School-to-Work department, along with a guidance counselor, will assist students in their post high school plans. This may include (2) or (4) year college, specialized training, apprenticeships or military enrollment.

Career Majors

1. What career majors are offered at BCIT?

BCIT Medford and BCIT Westampton have several unique programs to their respective campuses.

*RCBC College Head Start program

2. I see there are some different programs at each campus. I default to Medford but am interested in a career major at West. What can I do?

You may explore at either campus. When you make your Exploratory Cycle selections, you can choose up to 2 programs offered at the opposite campus. If a program is offered at your default campus as well as the other campus, you will participate in the program at your default campus.  If you perform well and are selected into the specific career program at the other campus, you will be permanently placed at the campus that offers the program.  

3. I am interested in a lot of different career majors. Can I focus on a different one each year?

No, once you are placed in a career area you will continue with that program until you graduate; however, if you are interested in re-exploring after your freshman year, you may explore four new classes at the start of your sophomore year. Once you are placed in your career major, you cannot switch after your sophomore year. In fact, some programs require a four-year commitment (Cosmetology, Sports Medicine, and Allied Health Professionals)

4. How will I know which career major I want to focus on throughout my time at BCIT?

In order to facilitate the career major selection process, students participate in an Exploratory Program during the first marking period of their freshmen year. During each 10-day cycle, students learn about one particular career major by meeting the teacher, understanding the course expectations, and learning some foundational information. Students do this process in 4 different classes in order to fully understand the major and tap into their career aspirations. At the end of this process, students are placed into a career major based on several factors including how well they do in the class, how many spots are available in the class and how they have ranked their course selections. Some programs are competitive; students are encouraged to do their best in every Exploratory Career Major class.

5. What is the exploratory cycle?

During your first marking period at BCIT, you will explore four different programs during the Exploratory period. During this time, you will spend approximately 10 days in a particular career major to learn the coursework, skills covered and course expectations. At the end of this time, you will assess which programs were of interest to you and be matched up to a program based on your interest and how well you performed in the class. This time in each class allows you to see if you like the course and helps you make an informed decision on if you would like to further your studies in a particular field. At the end of your freshmen year, if you are not satisfied with your career major you may re-explore as a sophomore. Students in 11th and 12th grade entering BCIT's PACE Program will not explore. 

6. Are there any grades and or tests/quizzes in the Career Area Exploratories?

Exploratory grades are placed in two categories: Practical and Theory. A variety of assessments can be placed in each category according to the instructor and the nature of the activity or assignment. Students are encouraged to do your best in each exploratory program because these grades ultimately appear on your report card.

7. I came to BCIT for one specific Career Major Area. Will I be guaranteed to be placed in that Career Major Area?

No, placement is based on performance during the exploratory cycle.  Class sizes are set for each career area; once a class is full we no longer accept students to that major. Both your performance and attendance during the exploratory cycle are crucial to your success at BCIT.

8. Once I am placed in a permanent Career Major Area, will I be in that one and only Career Major Area for my entire time at BCIT?

For the most part, yes.  If you are no longer interested in the career area after your freshman year you may re-explore at the start of your sophomore year.  According to policy, if you fail your freshman year you have to re-explore.  

9. Can I change my career major after I explore during my freshmen year?

If you are no longer interested in the career area after your freshman year you may re-explore at the start of your sophomore year (depending on availability). According to policy, if you fail your freshman year career major coursework, you have to re-explore.

10. Are Career Major Areas like electives?

Career Majors are a major component of the BCIT experience as you will spend a great deal of your school day in your CTE coursework. An elective allows you to experience a little bit about a particular subject and usually only has one, or maybe two, courses. A career major is a program that allows you to gain in-depth knowledge on your topic over the course of your high school career. Each year, you will take at least one 80-minute block in this career major and build up to as many as three, 80-minute blocks during your senior year!

11. What if I end up placed in a Career Area that I do not like?

During your first marking period at BCIT, you will explore four different programs during the Exploratory period. During this time, you will spend approximately 10 days in a particular career major to learn the coursework, skills covered and course expectations. At the end of this time, you will assess which programs were of interest to you and be matched up to a program based on your interest and how well you performed in the class. This time in each class allows you to see if you like the course and helps you make an informed decision on if you would like to further your studies in a particular field. At the end of your freshmen year, if you are not satisfied with your career major you may re-explore as a sophomore.

12. Are there any Career Areas that have certain academic minimal requirements in order to be accepted?  

At this time, there are no minimum academic requirements for any of our Career Majors; however, some career areas are more academically challenging than others.

13. Is my attendance important during the Exploratory cycle?

Attendance during the exploratory cycle is essential as your time is limited in each cycle and you must demonstrate your knowledge and abilities during that short time. Poor attendance during this time period could affect your career major selection.

14. What is an Academy?

An Academy is a cohort of students who travel throughout their time in high school in a course sequence designed to provide an in-depth experience for students interested in a particular area. BCIT currently offers 2 academies: Academy of Performing Arts and Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology Academy.

15. What Academy programs does BCIT offer?

BCIT currently offers two academies: the Academy of Performing Arts and the Electronics and Computer Engineering Academy (ECET). Both of these academies are located on the Medford campus. Both Academies have a separate entrance requirement. The Academy of Performing Arts requires an audition and ECET requires high school grade level proficiency in mathematics.  

16. Can I explore the Academy of Performing Arts? 

No. The Academy of Performing Arts is an audition-based program at BCIT. Once you have been accepted to either BCIT campus, you are then scheduled to audition for the vocal, instrumental, dance or theater programs. If you are accepted into the Academy of Performing Arts, you do not participate in the Exploratory Cycle and instead begin studying your discipline immediately at the start of school.  

17. Can I explore both Pre-Engineering at the Westampton Campus and the Electronic & Computer Engineering Technology Academy at the Medford campus?

Yes, they are two entirely different programs and you can explore both.