Ready to set Sail? Our application process is now online, APPLY HERE.

Questions? Email the admissions team at SoundSchoolAdmissions@gmail.com

Counselors and applicants- Watch this recording from our Webinar on September 12th with aquaculture coordinator Peter Solomon, walking you through the new online application process.

Admissions Guide (PDF)- updates pending

Completing the Application:

The application is standardized to all of CT’s Agriculture Science and Technology Programs. The application can be filled out electronically, through our new online portal. Once a complete application is received, all applicants must also participate in an individual 5 minute (5 question) interview and parent information session to review program expectations.

Application Criteria:

All applications are evaluated by the following criteria using a standardized scoring system (The list is in order from highest to lowest in criterion).

  • Demonstrated interest in a career in an agricultural or aquaculture related field.
  • Personal meeting and/or interview with ASTE staff and/or school personnel.
  • A personal essay written by the student
  • Recommendations (Counselor, Teacher and Personal).
  • Attendance record. 
  • Academic record.
  • Behavioral record.

Application Timeline:

  1. We recruit at local middle schools throughout the months of September, October and November.
  2. Students may submit applications after September 1, 2023.
  3. Open House for Interested 8th Graders is October 26th
  4. Applications received before January 5th will receive priority consideration.
  5. Interview sessions will be held in November; January; and March. Other applications received will be reviewed and evaluated if there are more spots available.
  6. Student applicants who complete their application by the January deadline will be notified by mail and email in early spring.
  7. Shadowing can begin once the application and the interview are complete.

We will continually accept and review completed applications until all seats in the incoming freshmen class for the next school year are full. Once the class is full, student applicants who meet our minimum criteria will be placed on a waitlist. Students on the waitlist will be contacted when a seat opens up; this can happen at any time throughout the spring, summer, or up until the first week of school. 

Admissions and Retention

(a) Applicants shall have successfully complete at least the eighth grade for ninth grade admission. (Students may apply for transfer into the program beyond ninth grade. Admittance shall be determined on an individual basis.) 

(b) Applicants shall indicate an interest in agriculture as a career and shall agree to participate in a supervised, occupational experience program. 

(c) The vocational agriculture staff shall have the responsibility to recommend students for acceptance into the vocational agriculture program. 

(d) Any student denied admission to a program of vocational agriculture or who is about to be dismissed from such a program shall be given an opportunity to request an informal review of his/her case before a Review Committee at a Regional Vocational Agriculture Center. The Review Committee shall be composed of at least, but not limited to the following representation: a member of the vocational agriculture staff, an administrator from the school where the vocational agriculture program operates, a member of the operating board of education or their administrative representative, a member of the sending board of education or their administrative representative, and a member of the regional vocational agriculture consulting committee. Such student may make a request in writing, to the proper vocational agriculture center, addressed to the administrator responsible for such center, for a review of his or her case. Any such request shall be made within 15 days of such action. The said committee shall conduct such review within 20 days of receipt of such request. The committee through the operating board of education shall within 10 days of such review, notify in writing, the student, and the sending board of education of its decision. This decision shall be final and binding upon all parties.  (CT Section 10-65-6)

Our new online application portal is easy to use and makes the application process more streamlined. However, if you are unable to complete an online application we will accept hard copies of the state ASTE application. You can download a pdf using the links below.

ASTE Common Application (PDF)

• Aplicación común de ASTE (PDF, Spanish)

Formulário de Solicitação de Admissão de Aluno (PDF, Portuguese)

Polish PDF