2026 Admissions FAQs
General Admission
Q: Does Franklin County Technical School (FCTS) accept all students who apply?
A: No, not all students can be admitted because there are a limited number of seats. However, every eligible applicant has an equal chance of being selected through an open, unweighted lottery, subject to resident priority and town-specific enrollment quotas established by the District Agreement. No student will be discriminated against based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, or homelessness.
Q: What if English isn’t my family’s primary language?
A: Application materials are available in the home language. Language support is provided during the process.
Q: What if my child was from one of the districts, but is experiencing homelessness?
A: Students can apply without barriers. For help, contact the McKinney-Vento Liaison at 413-863-9561 ext. 123.
Q: Can students with disabilities apply?
A: Absolutely. Students may disclose a disability, but this will not in any way affect the admissions decision. If a student on an IEP is accepted, the IEP Team will meet to review how the student’s IEP can be implemented at FCTS. In the event the Team determines that the IEP cannot be implemented as written, the Team will work together to identify appropriate next steps, which may include revisions to the IEP or consideration of other placement options, consistent with special education law.
Eligibility
Q: Does my child need to finish 8th grade to be admitted?
A: Yes. Students must successfully complete 8th grade and be promoted to 9th grade. Admission is conditional upon promotion as determined by the student's sending school. If a student is not promoted to the grade they have applied to enter, their admission will be rescinded.
Q: Can homeschool students apply?
A: Yes. Homeschooled students can apply if their local district has approved them for grade 9 entry.
Q: What if my child is transferring from another vocational school as a 10th or 11th grader?
A: Transfer students may be accepted on a space-available basis. Students must be eligible for promotion to the grade they are seeking to enter, as determined by their sending school.
Recruitment & Application
Q: How can families learn more about FCTS before applying?
A: FCTS hosts open houses, visits middle schools, offers school tours, and provides recruitment materials in multiple languages.
Q: When is the application period?
A: Applications open Third Thursday in October - January 15th.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Applications are submitted through go2cte.com, a third-party platform used to ensure a fair and transparent lottery. This application is seamlessly linked to our site.
Lottery & Acceptance
Q: What happens if more students apply than there are seats?
A: All eligible applicants are entered into an open, unweighted lottery, giving each student an equal chance of selection, subject to the resident priority and town-specific enrollment quotas established by the Franklin County Regional Vocational Technical School District Agreement. Students not selected in the first round are placed on a waitlist in the order drawn.
Q: When is the lottery?
A: The lottery will be held on the First Wednesday of February and email notification of results will be sent out by the second Wednesday of February.
Q: When will we find out if our child is accepted?
A: Families will be notified by email from the Go2CTE Portal by the second Wednesday of February.
Q: When is the deadline to accept an offer?
A: Families must respond by February 28th or the Next Business Day.
Q: What if we are placed on the waitlist?
A: If seats become available, waitlisted students will be offered admission in the order of the lottery, starting March 1.
Residency & Town Quotas
Q: What proof of residency is required?
A: A Residency Affidavit must be completed prior to the application deadline. Proof of address is required, such as a current mortgage statement, lease, property deed, utility bill, or residential property tax bill. If the Residency Affidavit is not completed prior to the application deadline, the application will be considered ineligible.
Q: How are seats divided among towns?
A: Resident students are admitted in accordance with the Franklin County Regional Vocational Technical School District Agreement, including town-specific enrollment quotas established by the Agreement. Resident students who meet the minimum requirements for admission are given priority before non-resident students.
Q: What happens if the class isn’t full by January 15?
A: If applications do not exceed available seats, all eligible students are admitted.
Appeals & Retention
Q: Can we appeal if our child isn’t accepted?
A: Yes. Families may submit a written appeal to the Superintendent (or designee) within 10 business days of notification.
Q: What happens after admission?
A: Students must meet academic, technical, and attendance standards while enrolled at FCTS. FCTS provides support to help students succeed.
Q: What kind of support is available for students?
A: The school offers academic and technical support, special education and accommodation plans to eligible students, proactive interventions, after school help, and regular communication with families.