Story provided by Meridian Technology Center
Future Meridian Technology Center students and their families can get an inside look at the hands-on learning offered at the Tech with the school’s new virtual tours.
The site, meridiantech.edu/visit, features a self-guided virtual tour of the school’s 20 plus career training programs using 360-degree photos, videos that feature a current student and the program’s instructor, and program overviews.
Jeanie Zagar, Executive Director of Career Planning/Career Development at Meridian, said the site is also a hub for other recruitment efforts.
“We’re offering a lot of new ways to connect with future students,” she said. “Technology is helping us bring future students as close as possible to our classrooms and current students. This site outlines everything we’re offering.”
One of the first opportunities future students and their families have to connect with Tech is to sign up for a Chat with a Student session. Each week beginning December 2, a current student will answer questions about the Meridian student experience, earning college credit, CareerTech student organizations (CTSOs) and competitions, and their classroom experience. Chats are open to parents and students. Attendees can sign up at meridiantech.edu/chat.
Additionally, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January, Meridian will host 30-minute virtual Ask Me Anything information sessions for students to learn more about their program of interest, ask instructors questions and learn about campus life. Future students can see the schedule and submit questions at meridiantech.edu/ama.
Due to health and safety concerns with the pandemic, Meridian cannot offer in-person tours to all of the district’s sophomores; however, there are a limited number of in-person tour opportunities available. Tours occur on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. Registration is required, and attendees will need to wear a mask. To sign up for an in-person time, contact the Career Planning Center at 405.377.3333.
The school will also hold a virtual Open House for families on January 26. District sophomores will be mailed an invitation in December with event details.
Why Students Elect Tech
Meridian serves high school and adult students who live in the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. High school, home-school, private school and virtual school students who live in the district can attend tuition-free during their junior and senior years. Sophomores can enroll in the Biomedical Sciences or Pre-Engineering STEM Academy or for afternoon programs when space is available.
Students spend a half day at their home high school and half a day with Meridian in hands-on courses. Meridian is tuition-free for district high school students and includes free transportation from their home high school. Students can receive credit for high school courses in a variety of academics or as electives depending on their high school.
The high school application process for fall 2021 is already underway. Priority enrollment is February 1, and applications will be accepted as long as space is available. Enrollment decisions will be made in March. High school students and parents can learn more about the application process at meridiantech.edu/highschool.
Adult students can enroll in any of Meridian’s career training programs, with the exception of the STEM Academy. Evening Cosmetology, Health Informatics, Practical Nursing and Radiological Technology are adult-only programs and have separate applications and deadlines. Tuition varies for each program. Adult students who are interested in attending Tech in January 2021 can apply online at meridiantech.edu/adults.
Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, workforce and economic development assistance and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.
For more information or to enroll, visit meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.