Vo-tech highschool programs (Pittsburgh, California, Avon: homes, construction, school districts)

[Sjordandominik]

Hi. My family and I are relocating to the Pittsburgh area From a rural part of California. I have family in the area both north and south hills. We have narrowed down to school districts based on various factors, Hampton and Moon. We are looking for a school that has both good academics as well as a good vocational technical program. My husband is an electrician and we both value the trades, believing that it is a great option for many kids, just as college is a great option for many kids. How are the vo-tech programs in the Pittsburgh area? Are there any resources available to assess these programs, and is anyone familiar with Hampton and Moon’s programs. Thank you so much for your help on this form

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by Sjordandominik

Hi. My family and I are relocating to the Pittsburgh area From a rural part of California. I have family in the area both north and south hills. We have narrowed down to school districts based on various factors, Hampton and Moon. We are looking for a school that has both good academics as well as a good vocational technical program. My husband is an electrician and we both value the trades, believing that it is a great option for many kids, just as college is a great option for many kids. How are the vo-tech programs in the Pittsburgh area? Are there any resources available to assess these programs, and is anyone familiar with Hampton and Moon’s programs. Thank you so much for your help on this form

Moon township sends there kids to parkway tech. I went there decades ago, it is made up of students from all over the south hills and west. When i went the classes were decent but it doesn't beat hands on jobsite learning. The pittsburgh area has a large construction union presence, i always felt that was a better option for after highschool than going to a trade school.

[punctus_contra_punctum]

Most of the school districts in the north hills suburbs of Pittsburgh (including Hampton) use Beattie Career Center for vo-tech training. I believe that the program is usually part of the day at the home school and part of the day at Beattie.


As has already been mentioned, Pittsburgh has lots of union trades, which may be a better resource than the vo-techs.


Community College of Allegheny County also does trades training, mostly at the West Hills campus near the airport. If you can get into any of the trade unions, some of the programs involve dual training with CCAC and end with an associates degree, with the union paying for the academic classes.


Good luck and best wishes with the move.

[Knepper3]

Very much agree on the benefits of both. My kids both are in college but we supported either way, 3 of my son's best friends went direct to trade. I know at Avonworth where they all went it was Beattie, then right after those 3 went straight into the Electrical union. Heck going in the union they force you to keep learning and taking classes, I think it's a better route for many. I'd have done that if I was young.



All 3 boys are now journeymen with no debt at plenty of cash to do what they want at 24. 2 of the 3 also have their own homes.