EAST BRUNSWICK – Formerly referred to as the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools, the county’s long-term plan to rebrand the school district has taken a number of steps forward.
County officials announced in June that Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools would transition into a “new era of specialized education” with a new name and rebranded logo. Now after a century, the school district will transition to being called the Middlesex County Magnet Schools.
Comprised of five separate campuses in Piscataway, Perth Amboy, East Brunswick, Edison, and Woodbridge, the schools combine to serve 2,200 highschoolers. In addition, the schools also feature an Adult Education program that benefits nearly 400 adults annually.
Thus, to commemorate the new identity of education in Middlesex, a mixture of students and educators gathered outside the East Brunswick Campus to partake in the milestone on Sept. 7.
Several representatives from Middlesex County and the Middlesex County Magnet Schools shared speeches that explained how Magnet Schools’ students will shape the future of industry and innovation.
T-shirts worn by those in attendance displayed the Magnet School’s official motto: College Ready. Career Ready. Life Ready.
According to county officials, the overhaul aims to highlight and accurately represent the high-quality programs and educational opportunities that are currently offered. By removing the often stigmatized “vocational and technical” label, officials believe that public perception of these institutions will change.
In a press release, County Board of Education Vice President Laura Czarnesk stated, “While the former name served our district well, it is from a bygone era and at times may have even acted as a deterrent by carrying many misconceptions about the type of educational experiences our district offers — and the type of students who choose to attend our schools.”
In the same press release, Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum added, “This is an exciting time in the county’s history. Despite the countless success stories of the students that graduate from this school district, there are many parents, students, and educational decision-makers in our community who remain unaware of all the specialized learning tracks available here.
“For generations, these extraordinary learning experiences have been available tuition-free to all our county residents. With this new name, Middlesex County Magnet Schools, and visual identity, we’re excited for the regional community to see this school district through a new lens. I wholeheartedly support this change and the leadership steering it forward.”
With a collective identity across the school district, both educators and officials said the overall mission is to provide students with academic, practical, and real-life skills to succeed in any environment.
