EAST PROVIDENCE — One of the most well received and well attended open houses in recent memory took place last Thursday night, Jan. 11, at East Providence High School, where several students likely got their first glimpse of the still relatively new and impressive structure.

Families with eighth graders both inside and outside of the city turned out in the largest numbers seen in several years and especially so since the new building opened in the late summer of 2021.

The evening gave prospective ninth graders the chance to visit with staff and current students to learn what the school has to offer such as its academic departments, social and academic clubs, sports teams and other extracurricular activities.

The "star" of the evening was without a doubt the Career and Tech Center area located on the first and second floors. There was a constant stream of visitors in and out of the program rooms for Automotive, Computer Science, Construction & Electrical, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Forensic Science, Health Occupations & Dental and Pre-Engineering.

"For our staff and students, the open house is about recruiting the next group of Townies into their programs," said CTC Director Bob Hanlon, who oversees the roughly 800 students enrolled in its 11 programs.

The East Providence CTC gives priority to city students, but students from Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Warren can also attend the school.

Hanlon added, " For our CTC instructors will be in their classrooms, shops, and labs with some current students to show off what their programs are all about. For the eighth graders, it's an opportunity for some early planning on how to maximize their high school career and a chance to make some connections."

He continued, "The students and their families were so impressed with our beautiful facility and caring staff, but they were especially moved by our current students who volunteered by the hundreds to welcome the Class of 2028."

For more information about the EPHS Career and Tech Center or to apply to become a student visit www.eastprovidencectc.com. The application window for the 2024-25 term runs from February 1 to March 15.

— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com contributing photographer Julie Furtado shot the accompanying gallery of photos.