There are three ways to up students' chances in the lottery for admission
There are 130 slots available at Holyoke High School’s Dean Tech campus for current 8th graders interested in pursuing career and technical coursework for the 2026-27 school year—and all 130 of those slots will be filled via lottery.
“I am encouraging all current eighth graders to look into the courses of study we offer at Dean Tech,” said Principal Roseanne Caraciollo. “If one or more of our shops feel like they could be right for you, be sure to complete an application before the February 28 deadline.”
While acceptance is based on a true lottery, there are several ways to boost a student’s chances.
“First, an interested student has to apply,” Principal Caraciollo explained. “Submitting an application is essential.”
The Dean admission process works similarly to a raffle drawing, she said. The more “tickets” a person has in the hat, the more chances they have for their name to be drawn. One student can earn up to four tickets.
“Think of the lottery system as raffle tickets in a random drawing,” she said. “Applying gives an interested student one ticket in the drawing. Want more chances? Keep your attendance high and avoid behaviors that could lead to disciplinary actions to earn two more tickets in the drawing. Students can also earn an additional ticket by demonstrating their awareness of career and technical education.”
To earn an attendance ticket, students must have fewer than 27 absences in the past 270 days.
Similarly, students with no major disciplinary actions will get a ticket for their good behavior.
To earn a ticket for building awareness about career and technical education, students can attend an open house or virtual student information session, take a tour of the Dean campus, or complete a CTE video module created by Dean Tech or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“Whether or not they’ve earned additional tickets, all students who are interested in applying for admission to Dean Tech should submit a completed application,” Principal Caraciollo said. “Students with only one ticket in the drawing still could have their names selected, and academic records have no effect on the outcome.”
For more information, please call Dean Tech at (413) 534-2071 or send an email to Principal Caracciolo. Families can also contact their child’s school counselor at Peck Middle School at (413) 534-2040 or Sullivan Middle School at (413) 534-2060.