Ridgewood High School has received two consecutive “D” grades. Now the district is looking into converting it to a technical high school with dual enrollment at neighbor college, Fred K. Marchman Technical College.

  • Ridgewood High looking to convert to technical high school
  • Ridgewood to also offer dual enrollment at Fred K. Marchman Technical College
  • 600 students to be accepted if proposal passes

“When they got to their junior, senior year, they would be spending half their day here to get their math, science, social studies, language arts, their four core, then they would spend half their day at Marchman to get their career, technical component," said Dr. Chris Dunning, Ridgewood’s principal.

If the concept is approved, students would apply with a minimum GPA and FSA test score, which is still being determined. Six hundred students would be accepted and the rest would be rezoned.

“They would come out of here with a credential in some kind of career tech program, whether it be automotive, auto body, culinary, cosmetology, we run the gamut," said Dr. Dunning.

That kind of program is exciting for students like Megan Hanley who wants to go into radiology.

“Radiology works with a lot of technical machines and stuff like that, and I’ll be able to be exposed to more of that kind of study," said Hanley.

Anthony Mason said he likes the idea as well, however he’s worried about not being able to play soccer at Ridgewood and having to play at another school.

“Ridgewood you know, that's my team. I mean all my friends are on the soccer team; just hours of practice and games, it would be bad if that was gone," said Mason.

If the proposal goes through, it would be implemented next fall. Seniors could stay at the school.

The school board will be discussing the proposal at a workshop Tuesday, September 5.