Applying for the 2024-2025 School Year?
Who May Apply to Attend BCTC?
Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who reside in any of the 16 participating school districts may apply to attend BCTC. Students must complete the BCTC application online process to be considered for admission.Â
How is Admission Granted?
Enrollment at BCTC is limited, therefore, each applicant is evaluated based on the information provided in the application with the most qualified applicants granted admission until all openings in that program are filled. The remaining applicants are then placed on a waiting list for potential placement as openings occur in those programs.
Applications from students with exceptionalities or disabilities will be received, processed, and responded to in the same manner as all other applications. Final selection of all students is contingent upon the final approval of the participating sending school district.
If You Do Not Attend Public School
Students who live in Berks County and attend parochial or private schools or are home-schooled are also welcome to attend BCTC. These students need to contact the superintendent’s office of the school district in which they reside to obtain enrollment procedures. With authorization from their Cyber or Charter School, high school students who attend these schools may apply to BCTC. Those students should contact the Business Manager 610-374-4073 at BCTC to start that process.
Application Deadline!
Because there are a limited number of openings each year, students should have their application on file at a BCTC campus by mid-December to be considered for our first-round selection process for the following school year. Sending Districts may have various/earlier due dates to allow for processing. Please see your district counselors for their deadline. Applications received after first-round scheduling will be considered based on space availability.
Tuition-free public education is provided to high school students through the tax support of citizens and businesses from each of the 16 Berks County school districts. Adult students are required to pay tuition based on an annually approved tuition rate. Students are required to purchase uniforms, books/workbooks, tools, and personal protective equipment, and may be required to pay for certification testing fees and college dual enrollment courses. Please see the individual program pages for an approximate breakdown of these costs for each program
Generally, the school day is divided into two sessions. The morning (AM) session operates from 7:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the afternoon session (PM) operates from 11:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These times will vary based on district transportation schedules and other scheduling variables. Every attempt is made to accommodate the scheduling needs of all students who attend BCTC.
Session assignment is based on a student’s overall schedule, the district in which he/she resides, and available openings. Therefore, students will attend either the AM or PM session at BCTC and the other half day at their high school.
Students can attend for one, two, or three years; however, most students enter in 10th grade and stay for three years. A 9th Grade Early Admissions option is available for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A three-year program provides the best opportunity for students to complete the curriculum, acquire advanced credit at a post-secondary institution, and obtain industry-recognized licenses or certifications.
Several Industry Certifications offered through BCTC career and technical education programs have mandatory hour requirements. Most students who attend BCTC for a minimum of 2.5 hours per day and have very good attendance will be able to meet the industry certification hours requirements; however, since sending district schedules vary, students are encouraged to discuss their district BCTC schedule with their counselor to determine whether or not sufficient hours will be attainable to meet the program specific industry certifications.
Although you will find a great deal of information on this Web site and in our literature, you cannot fully appreciate the quality of our programs and facilities without seeing them for yourself. We invite you to tour our labs and meet our instructors. Come see what makes BCTC one of the premier technical schools in Pennsylvania and why it may be a good choice for you.
The following are some of the opportunities to visit BCTC:
8th Grade Visitation Days - Each Spring, the school districts have an opportunity to send their 8th Grade Students to BCTC to experience several programs that they are interested in learning more about.
9th Grade Tours – Each Fall, the school districts have an opportunity to send their 9th Grade Students to BCTC to tour the school and learn more about specific programs they are considering.
Open House - In October to November timeframe of each year, BCTC holds an Open House at each campus.  Parents and interested students are welcome to visit BCTC, tour the labs, and talk to teachers and staff to learn more.
You may also schedule a tour by contacting the Student Services Counseling Office at the East Campus in Oley at 610-374-4073, Option 1, Option 3 or West Campus in Leesport at 610-374-4073, Option 2, Option 3.