School History

Vocational Education began in the town of Manchester in 1912, through the efforts of Mr. Howell Cheney with the establishment of a textile school on Hartford Road. The main objective of the school program at that time was to offer specialized training for prospective employees of the local Cheney Silk Mills.

In 1915 the school was moved to the Franklyn Building on Main and School Streets, and the curriculum was expanded with the addition of carpentry, electrical, machine tool, and mechanical drafting. At this time the school was incorporated under the direction of the State Department of Education and renamed as the Manchester Trade School.

In 1924 the school moved into a new building on School Street. In 1943, the name of the school was changed to Howell Cheney Regional Vocational-Technical School in honor of its founder.

In 1946, the philosophy of vocational education underwent a major change. In addition to specialized trade training, the student was offered courses in the fields of related and general education. Mathematics, science, and blueprint reading were taught at Cheney Tech, and English and social studies were offered in conjunction with Manchester High School. This co-operative plan also allowed students from Manchester High School to take advantage of trade training at Cheney Tech as part- time technical students. In 1954, the co-operative plan was discontinued in favor of Cheney Tech offering a complete academic and trade program of study.

As student enrollment increased at Cheney Tech during the post-war years, plans were made for the construction of a new school. In 1962, the new campus at West Middle Turnpike was opened. The expanded program included new trade offerings in automotive technology, tool and die making, and industrial electronics.

In 1982 a second floor was added to accommodate additional classroom space, and a wing was added to the shops. New trade offerings added to the curriculum were Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Welding, and Diesel Mechanics. The 1990s have seen the addition of MicroComputer Software Technology and Culinary Arts to the trade program.

Students at Howell Cheney Technical School are challenged by the faculty to push themselves in their studies to become the best students and technicians they can be. The students are challenged to ask questions, to analyze complex data, to solve problems, and to work together to achieve excellence in their trade and academic studies.

Howell Cheney Technical School enters the 21st century with pride in its glorious history, and with anticipation of the many positive contributions our students will make to the future.