A First Look at the New J.M. Wright Technical High School

Southwestern Connecticut’s business, trade and educational leaders joined with elected representatives on June 3 for a tour of several advanced learning environments at the school.

Those touring the school represented more than a dozen organizations including Priceline.com, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Siemens, Stamford Hospital, Pepperidge Farm and WTNH News 8 & WCTX My TV9. 

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Editor's note: This article originally was posted as an announcement by the Pita Group on Stamford Patch.

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With the state’s trade unions and employers in the region’s automotive, hospitality, food service and healthcare industries, these companies and organizations will actively support how the school educates students for careers that require new levels of critical thinking and digital know-how.

J.M. Wright Technical High School will be the first high school in the U.S. to offer a facilities management program, thanks to the support of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), according to Jay Drew, facilities project manager, Connecticut General Assembly and the IFMA’s Connecticut representative. 

According to Dr. Nivea L. Torres, Superintendent of Schools, Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS), the strength of the CTHSS model lies in its ability to partner with and benefit from the perspectives of multiple organizations: local unions, small and mid-sized businesses and large corporations.

These partnerships allow for student mentoring, curriculum development and job placement, which ultimately benefits Connecticut’s economy.

“As part of CTHSS, our goal is to continue expanding J.M. Wright Tech’s collaboration with both local businesses and national corporations throughout the region,” said Torres.

The following companies and organizations have already made significant contributions to the school’s renovation and curriculum:

Automotive Engineering: Minchin Buick GMC; Toyota of Stamford; Riley Automotive

Culinary Arts and Science: Fairway Market, Stamford; Pepperidge Farm

e-Carpentry: Carpenter's Union Local #43; Home Builders’ and Remodelers’ Association of Connecticut

e-Electrical: Electrical Contractors, CASMAN Electrical, Maccia Electrical; Electrical Unions (IBEW) Locals #488 and #90, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), Solar CT

Facilities Management: International Facilities Management Association (IFMA)

e-Plumbing: Plumbing, Pipefitters and HVAC Union #777; Sheet Metal Workers Union #40; Connecticut Heating & Cooling Contractors (CHCC); Solar CT; CT Geothermal Association; Plumbing, Heating and Cooling (PHCC); Local 1- Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, New York

Digital Media: WTNH News 8 & WCTX My TV9

Information Sciences and Technology (IST): Priceline.com

Health Technology: Stamford Hospital

Tourism/Hotel/Hospitality: Starwood Hotels

Enrollment for the new school’s inaugural class is nearing its 162-student capacity. The school has received 217 applications and has accepted 159; 135 students have confirmed that they will begin classes on August 27.