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A Brief Overview:
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is a public,
four-year vocational technical high school for young men and women. With an enrollment of
more than 2,000 students. GNB Voc-Tech is one of the largest vocational-technical high
schools in Massachusetts. It serves the communities of New Bedford,
Dartmouth and Fairhaven,
Massachusetts.
The school's roots date back nearly a century, to the creation of the New Bedford
Independent Industrial School in 1908. When it opened in 1909, the school served only 59
students, all from New Bedford. Over the years, the school built a reputation for excellence
by providing quality vocational and academic programs. In 1918, its name was changed to New
Bedford Vocational School. In 1946, it became New Bedford Vocational High School. In 1955,
it became the first vocational high school to be accredited by the
New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
In 1972, voters in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven approved the establishment
of a regional vocational school district and construction of a regional vocational school.
In 1977, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School was opened.
Today, the school sits on a beautiful 48-acre campus in the North End of New
Bedford, Massachusetts.
A $22 million addition and renovation project was completed in the fall of 2004.
The project added new labs and classrooms and expanded the facilities for several
career and technical programs, including Early Childhood Education and Teaching,
Culinary Arts, Automotive Technology, Diesel Service Technology, and Plumbing and
Pipe Fitting.
Educational Program:
Students at GNB Voc-Tech experience an education which blends academic instruction
with career and technical education. They can choose from more than two dozen
career majors.
Through this course of study, students wishing to pursue a higher education are
able to meet all of the academic requirements necessary for them to be admitted
into state colleges and universities as well as most private colleges. Additionally,
the vocational skills that they acquire give them a competitive advantage when
entering the workforce.
Many of the school's graduates go on to become leaders in business and industry or
in civic and political life in the region. In a typical class, 60-70% of its
graduates choose to continue their education, either at colleges or advanced
technical schools. Another 30-35% enter the workforce and approximately 2% enter
the armed services.
Commitment to the Region:
GNB Voc-Tech is proud of its contributions to the community. As part of their
educational experience, students work on a host of off-campus projects in the
region. While they learn math and English like other high school students, they
also work outside the classroom, at real jobsites. That gives them an opportunity
to practice and improve the technical skills they will need in their field.
In the construction area, GNB Voc-Tech provides the technical expertise and student
labor and the community provides the materials. Student and faculty crews from
many of the school’s programs take part.
Projects have included construction of a domestic animal barn at the
Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford,
an Animal Shelter in Fairhaven, and additions to the Council on Aging building in
Dartmouth. Students helped to build and set up the holiday display at Clasky
Common Park in New Bedford, helped restore the Paul Revere sign on Route 195, built
walkways for the Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail, built homes, and assisted city and
town departments in a myriad of ways.
GNB Voc-Tech also operates a dental sealant program for second-graders, runs a
"Books and Bears" project with the New Bedford Police department to assist young
victims of domestic abuse and other trauma, and caters numerous community functions
through its Culinary Arts program.
In a real sense, the school serves as a community center for the region. GNB
Voc-Tech plays host to a wide variety of civic and cultural events. They include,
among many other things, the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show, Job
Fairs, band competitions, invitational track meets, the Miss New Bedford Pageant,
and meetings of public and private groups.
School Committee:
An eight-member School Committee sets policy for the district. Four of its members are appointed by the Mayor of New Bedford. Two each are appointed by the Town of Dartmouth and the Town of Fairhaven.
Norman Bergeron, New Bedford
David S. Darmofal, Fairhaven
Randall C. Durrigan, Fairhaven
Dr. Thomas E. Kelly, Dartmouth
John P. Montigny, Dartmouth
Joaquim Nobrega, New Bedford
Rita M. Ribeiro, New Bedford
Frederick J. Toomey, New Bedford
School Administration:
Michael R. Shea – Superintendent-Director
Richard R. Dupuis – Business Manager
Michael P. Gagliardi – Principal, Career and Technical Education
Linda Enos – Principal, Academic Programs
Accreditations and Associations:
GNB Voc-Tech is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the regional accrediting body for secondary schools in New England. Its faculty members are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
The school is associated with a host of professional organizations:
Massachusetts Department of Education
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators
Massachusetts Vocational Association
Association for Career and Technical Education
Business Professionals of America
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Association
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
National Honor Society
Massachusetts SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA
Project Lead the Way
Sending Schools
GNB Voc-Tech accepts public and private school students who live in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven.
Following is a partial list of the schools and school districts which regularly send students to GNB Voc-Tech:
New Bedford Public Schools
- Keith Middle School
- Normandin Middle School
- Roosevelt Middle School
Dartmouth Public Schools
Fairhaven Public Schools
Diocese of Fall River
- Holy Family-Holy Name School
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School
- St. Francis Xavier School
- St. James-St. John School
- St. Joseph School
- St. Joseph-St. Therese School
- St. Mary School
Friends Academy
New Bedford Global Learning Charter Public School
Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford
Nazarene Christian Academy
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