From Tech Expo To Career Pathways: Forrest Tech Center Opens 2027 Applications

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center Tech Expo is designed to introduce students and families to career and technical education opportunities available through St. Mary’s County Public Schools, while also serving as an entry point into the application process for future enrollment.

The most recent Tech Expo drew an estimated 2,000 attendees and generated hundreds of recorded visits. According to St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Smith, who mentioned the expo during the Feb. 3 St. Mary’s County Board of Education meeting, more than 600 applications were already submitted for the 2026-27 academic year.

“They’ve gone out to each one of the schools and talked about opportunities, as well as having the Tech Expo,” Smith said. “So, looking forward to a fantastic upcoming year at the tech center.”

Applications for the 2027 academic year remain open through Feb. 20, 2026, and school officials are encouraging families who missed the expo to learn about available programs and complete the application process.

Students and families who were unable to attend the Tech Expo will have another opportunity during an open house scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20, from 1–3 p.m., at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown.

School officials said the open house is intended to support families still weighing options and to assist students who are ready to apply but want additional guidance before submitting materials. Please contact techcenter@smcps.org with any additional questions.

The Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center offers students hands-on instruction across a broad range of career pathways, combining classroom learning with lab-based and real-world applications. Programs emphasize workforce readiness, technical skills, and postsecondary options, including college credit and industry-recognized certifications.

Administrators describe the Tech Expo and open house as part of a broader effort to help students make informed decisions early, particularly as interest in career and technical education continues to grow alongside demand for skilled workers across multiple industries.

In addition to the open house, the Tech Center is hosting a virtual learning for home instruction students information session on Feb. 12, and event information, calendars and newsletters can be found on the Tech Center News & Events webpage.

The Forrest Technology Center Apprenticeship Maryland Program

The Apprenticeship Maryland Program/Tech Jobs Rule (AMP/TJR) is a partnership between the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, The Patuxent Partnership, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Strategic Education Office that connects qualified high school seniors with paid, real-world apprenticeships in local industry and government.

The program offers a minimum 450-hour, employer-paid work-based learning experience for students who have completed at least one year at the Tech Center, pairing apprentices with professional mentors to build career-ready skills while still in high school.

The Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center is located at 24005 Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, MD 20650, and can be reached at 301-475-0242.

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