Academy for Information Technology

The Union County Academy for Information Technology (UC-AIT) is a full-time four-year public high school located in Scotch Plains, in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus. The school is part of the Union County Vocational Technical Schools (UCVTS), which serves students in all of Union County.

AIT focuses on education in computer science and computer engineering with an emphasis on mathematics and science. As of the 2024–25 school year, the school had an enrollment of 307 students and 14.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 21.3:1. There were 17 students (5.5% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 10 (3.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools through July 2025.

Recognition and rankings

In September 2013, the academy was one of 15 schools in New Jersey to be recognized by the United States Department of Education as part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which Education Secretary Arne Duncan described as schools that "represent examples of educational excellence". In its 2016 report on "America's Best High Schools", The Daily Beast ranked the school 23rd in the nation among participating public high schools and 9th among schools in New Jersey.

Academic graduation requirements

In order to graduate from the Academy for Information Technology, a student is required to have taken:

Four years of English Freshmen: English I - World Literature Sophomore: English II - Early American Literature Junior: English III - Modern American Literature Senior: English IV: Choice of four courses (British Literature, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, or AP Research (if students are enrolled within the two year AP Capstone Program) Four years of Mathematics. Mathematics courses depend on an individual's skill level, which is determined based on an initial assessment in the 8th grade year. Students are placed into one of the following classes each year: Combined Algebra (Algebra 1 & 2) Geometry/Trigonometry Math Analysis (Pre-Calculus) Calculus AP Calculus I/AB AP Calculus II/BC Multivariable Calculus Linear Algebra Mathematical Statistics and Data Sciences Business Intelligence and Analytics (required senior year math course for Business Track students) Probability & Statistics AP Statistics Four years of Science Freshmen: Biology I, Scientific Inquiry and Analysis Sophomore: Chemistry I Junior: Physics I Senior: Choice of: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Psychology, Introduction to Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Agricultural Science, Introduction to Sustainability, Bioinformatics, etc. Four years of Fitness/Health Freshman: Fitness I, Health I Sophomore: Fitness II, Health II Junior: Fitness III, Health III Senior: Fitness IV, Health IV Four years of Computer Science / Business (at junior year students decide to pursue a computer science track or business track) Freshmen: Computer Applications in Business - MOS Certifications in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and IC3 Digital Literacy Certifications Sophomore: AP Computer Science Principles AND Principles of Business and Finance Junior: Computer Science Track: AP Computer Science A Business Track: AP Economics (Macro/Micro) Senior: Computer Science Track: Advanced Software Development Business Track: Global Financial Markets and Investments Three years of Social Studies Freshmen: World History Sophomore: US History I Junior: US History II Three years of World Language. World Language courses depend on an individual's skill level, which is determined based on an initial assessment in the 8th-grade year. Spanish I - Spanish IV AP Spanish Language and Culture AP Spanish Literature and Culture Linguistics One half-year of Financial Literacy This requirement is integrated into Principles of Business and Finance during sophomore year. One quarter-year of Visual, Performing, and/or Practical Arts This requirement is integrated into Health II education.

Student organizations

Student organizations at AIT and those shared across the district include:

Art Club Chess Club Class Council – 9,10,11,12 Coding Club Dance Club Drama Club Debate and Speech Club Drama Club Educators Rising National FFA Organization Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Health Occupation Students of America Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) Intramural Athletics Math League MultiCultural Club Music Club National Honor Society (NHS) Newspaper Club Relay For Life (RFL) Robotics Club Science Olympiad SkillsUSA Spanish Club Spanish Honor Society (SHS) Student Ambassadors Committee Student Government Technology Student Association Yearbook Club Many student organizations are district-wide.