New Tech High School enrollment to expand

So many eighth-graders are interested in signing up for Central Coast New Technology High School that officials in the Lucia Mar Unified School District have decided to expand enrollment from 125 to 150 for the school set to open next fall.

As of last week, 157 students have applied since registration for the school focused on project-based learning began Oct. 11.

District officials are especially pleased with the level of interest, considering the school that will sit on the south end of the Nipomo High School campus hasn’t been built yet.

“We knew the interest would be high, that’s exactly why we are offering this unique educational opportunity in the first place, but we didn’t expect this great response that we have received thus far,” Superintendent Jim Hogeboom said in a press release.

Most students applying already are attending Lucia Mar schools, but some are from outside the district, according to Ryan Foran, district spokesman.

The district previously stated that priority registration would be given to Lucia Mar students and that the first 50 students to apply are guaranteed spots.

Since more than 150 students have already applied before the Jan. 12 deadline, a random lottery is set for Jan. 19 to determine which students will fill spots 51 to 150 and which students will be put on a waiting list.

Every year, a grade level will be added to the school that is forecast to grow to 500 total students.

District officials believe increasing enrollment will allow for more flexibility with the schedule and class offerings.

New Tech Principal Dan Neff revealed new details about the school at Tuesday night’s board of trustees meeting, including what a typical class schedule would look like.