As part of the their high school program, West Chester Area School District students are given the opportunity to receive specialized technical and vocational career training at the Center for Arts and Technology (CAT). CAT, operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, is located on two campuses: the Brandywine campus in Coatesville and the Pickering campus in Phoenixville. The majority of students from West Chester attend CAT-Brandywine but a small number are enrolled at CAT-Pickering.
The CAT-Brandywine Program operates half days, with West Chester students bussed to the campus in the morning. Students then attend their home high schools in the afternoon. The CAT-Pickering Program is full time.
Attendance at either campus is arranged through the guidance office in the student’s home school.
Courses offered on the two campuses cover a wide range of career choices. Allied health science, automotive collision and service technology, commercial and graphic arts, horticulture, cosmetology, and culinary arts are only a few examples.
Depending upon career goals, graduates may go directly into the work world, may elect to receive further vocational training or may enroll in a two- or four-year college.
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