The Connecticut Technical High School System's exposes each ninth grade student to the technology exploratory program. The exploratory program introduces each student to the goals and objectives for each trade/technology; provides an objective measure of student performance, and a measure of potential for success for each student in all trades/technologies.

The ninth grade exploratory year is viewed as an extension of the admission process that serves as (1) a verification of the student's desire for a technical education and (2) as an assessment of technical aptitudes. The exploratory program is divided into three phases; phase I gives students career information on each trade offered, phase II gives each student a hands-on experience in three trade areas, and phase III a permanent placement where the student begins the study of a technology that he/she will concentrate on for the next three years.

In order for a student to continue in the CTHSS beyond grade nine, he/she must successfully complete the exploratory program.  Failure to successfully complete the exploratory program will make it necessary for a student to transfer back to their sending district.