Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers to questions you might be thinking about as a prospective student or parent/guardian.
- General School Questions and Questions about the Admissions Process
- Academic Questions
- Career and Technical Program Questions
- Athletic Questions
- Clubs and Activities Questions
General School Questions and Questions about the Admissions Process
Why Keefe Tech?
Keefe Tech offers a unique educational experience combining rigorous academics with dynamic and comprehensive Career and Technical Training. Students are prepared to enter their prospective career paths as skilled employees, or further their education at a two or four year college or university.
What kind of student does Keefe Tech seek to enroll?
Successful students at Keefe Tech embrace the value of combining Career and Technical Education with a dynamic and challenging academic curriculum. They view their high school experience as a place to discover their passions and challenge themselves both inside and outside of the classroom.
What communities does Keefe Tech serve?
Keefe Tech serves the in-district communities of Ashland, Framingham, Holliston Hopkinton and Natick.
Can I apply to Keefe Tech if I do not live in one of your sending communities?
Yes, you will need to fill out an Out Of District Application and apply through your town’s Superintendent’s office. Please contact our Guidance Office for further information.
How do we apply to Keefe Tech?
We encourage interested students to apply to Keefe Tech online at Keefetech.go2cte.com. If you are unable to access the online application, you can request or print a paper application, fill it out, and mail it to the Keefe Tech Guidance Office (Attn: Guidance/Admissions - Keefe Regional Technical School - 750 Winter Street - Framingham, MA 01702).
What is the criteria for admission to Keefe Tech?
Keefe Tech is an application school, admission will be based on a student’s grades , attendance discipline for 7th and 8th grade and a recommendation from the sending school. An interview with the applicant will also be part of the admissions criteria. Please refer to the admissions policy for further information.
Can I visit the school?
Parents/Guardians, families and prospective students are invited to our Career Night on Thursday, November 21, 2024 anytime between 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM. This is an opportunity to connect with our Career and Technical Programs, learn about our robust academic programs and get all your questions answered about the Keefe Tech high school experience. In addition, we will host a Parent Information Night in March for parents of prospective students. We are planning to run our admissions events in person and on our campus this year. If there are any changes to this surrounding we will share that information. Please refer to the Admissions calendar for updated events throughout the school year.
Will my 8th grader visit the school?
Current 8th graders in all of our sending middle schools participate in a Showcase Day, which includes touring the school and visiting three CTE programs of choice. Look for those dates on our admissions page.
Will my child be interviewed?
Any 8th grade student that applies to Keefe Tech by the priority deadline of January 15th and is attending one of our sending middle schools will be interviewed by a member of our admissions team. Interviews will take place during the month of January and early February. More information will be shared with applicants about this process. Out-of-district applicants will be contacted about an interview once an application is received.
Is there a deadline to apply?
We encourage students to apply to Keefe Tech by the priority deadline which is January 15th. We are a rolling admissions high school, therefore students can apply after the priority deadline.
How do you get my child’s transcripts?
Once you apply to Keefe Tech you have signed a records release giving the sending middle school permission to share your child’s 7th and 8th grade transcripts with our admissions team at Keefe Tech. The sending school will prepare a packet for our review prior to when we interview your child.
When will I know if my child is accepted to Keefe Tech?
Acceptance letters are mailed out on March 1st.
How does my child get to school?
Keefe Tech provides school bus transportation to all of our students living in one of our five communities.
Is there a transportation fee?
Currently there is no transportation fee for school bus transportation to and from Keefe Tech for enrolled students.
Can my child buy lunch?
At this time breakfast and lunch are free for all students enrolled at Keefe Tech.
How long is your school day?
The First Keefe Tech locker bell goes off at 7:25 AM and dismissal is at 2:00 PM.
Academic Questions
What does the schedule look like at Keefe Tech?
All students operate on an A and B week schedule. See below for a visual of the grade 9 experience. Beginning in grade 10, students rotate between one week of all academics and one week of their Career and Technical Program.
How long is each class?
Each class is just under one hour (57 minute block). Students have a total of 6 blocks each day during their Academic week.
How is a student’s academic schedule determined?
Academic schedules are determined based upon recommendations from 8th grade teachers, student, and parent input. Our expectation is that students will enroll in courses that challenge their abilities.
What is the average class size?
Academic and Career and Technical Program sizes vary. The average class size is 20-22 students.
Do you offer Honors level courses?
We offer honors classes in all core subject areas.
Do you offer AP classes?
Currently we offer 7 AP classes; AP English Literature & Composition, AP Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science, AP Psychology, AP Physics and AP Environmental Science. Future AP classes may be added to our curriculum.
What is Dual Enrollment?
Dual Enrollment is an opportunity for qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors to take college level courses for credit free of cost. Currently we offer Dual Enrollment classes with Mass Bay Community College.
Do students get to take electives?
Students can take electives at Keefe Tech each year. Students work with their School Counselor to select courses.
Do you offer Special Education?
Special Education services and programs are offered in accordance with state and federal laws that govern special education and are driven by the scope of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Please contact our Special Education Department at 508-416-2270 with any specific questions you may have regarding your child.
Who do I contact about my child’s IEP?
Please contact our Special Education Office at 508-416-2271 at Keefe Tech with individual questions regarding your child’s IEP.
Career and Technical Program Questions
How do students choose their CTE program?
Prior to the beginning of freshman year, the students are introduced to the Career and Technical Programs (CTE) offered at Keefe Tech. They spend 15 periods during a two week cycle in a Career and Technical area, exploring 8 out of 16 programs. These CTE areas are based upon choices of interest expressed by the student and also include non-traditional CTE areas.
How many CTE programs do you offer?
We offer 16 Career and Technical Programs. The most recent addition is Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R), which opened beginning in the 2022-23 school year.
Will my child get their first choice for their CTE program?
Upon completion of the Exploratory cycles, each student will choose the CTE program in which they are most interested in. If a Program is oversubscribed, the student’s academic, attendance, discipline record and performance in the exploratory program will be considered for placement into the Program. The majority of our students are placed in their first choice program (over 90% placement rate).
Can students change their mind about CTE programs?
Students will have the opportunity to change programs if they so desire and if a seat is available within the CTE area.
How much time will students spend in their CTE programs?
Grade nine students will follow the Career Exploratory schedule. Beginning in grade ten, students will alternate between an academic week and a Career and Technical week for the remaining three years.
Athletic Questions
How many sports teams do you have?
We currently have 16 Varsity Athletic Program. Please refer the Athletics Page on the website for a list of athletics by season.
Are there fees for athletics?
Currently there are no fees for athletics at Keefe Tech.
Who makes the team?
Keefe Tech currently has a no cut policy in many of the programs, with a few exceptions. As long as students are in good standing they have an opportunity to be part of a team.
How will my child get home after sports?
Keefe Tech offers a late bus (5:15 PM) free of charge to transport students home after athletics.
Clubs and Activities Questions
What extra-curricular activities do you offer?
Keefe Tech offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations. Please refer to the Clubs and Activities on the website.
How will my child get home if they stay for an activity?
Keefe Tech provides a late bus (3:05 PM) free of charge to transport students home after extracurricular activities.
Can a student participate in more than one activity?
Students can participate in more than one activity depending upon the meeting times and dates of each activity. All students are encouraged to be involved in the school community.