Ms. Laura Martin, Vice Principal

Mission:  The mission of the Trenton Central High School Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Academy is to prepare students for college and/or careers in the hospitality industry. About the Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Academy: Students prepare for a variety of advanced and entry-level career opportunities in hotel, restaurant and tourism occupations. Courses offered include hotel management, culinary arts and food preparation, and travel and tourism. Students operate an in-house school restaurant called the Tornado Cafe, and can pursue internship and part-time employment opportunities at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Hotel in Trenton and nearby Six Flags Great Adventure. (The school provides transportation for students working at the park.) As a member program of the National Academy Foundation (NAF), HRT offers students an in-depth look at all aspects of the travel industry through partnerships with resort, airline, hotel and cruise companies.  Click here to learn about the HRT Staff. National Academy Foundation (NAF) The Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Academy is a member of the prestigious National Academy Foundation

NAF sustains a nation-wide network of career-themed Academies that are organized as small learning communities. NAF students remain together throughout their high school years with a core group of specially trained teachers. This innovative small learning community or "schools within schools" concept was the vision of NAF's Founder, Sanford I. Weill, the corporate leader and philanthropist. Since its founding other leaders have joined Weill and supported NAF's mission, including Ken Chenault of American Express, Terry McGraw of McGraw Hill and Chuck Prince of  Citigroup.

NAF's small school vision emphasizes academic excellence while preparing students to pursue professional careers in the corporate sector. This vision has evolved into a premier reform model for public education throughout the country, and has helped inspire the contemporary small school/ small learning community movement.

Today there are more than 630 career Academies in 41 states and the District of Columbia. NAF's Academies include: Academy of Finance, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and Academy of Information Technology.

NAF connects young people to role models, mentors and teachers who are fully invested in their education and career success.

Course Offerings:

Travel and Lodging: (Sophomores)   This course is designed to give students an overview of the hospitality industry.  A strong emphasis is placed on the management of hotels and motels.  Computer software is used to simulate the operations of a hotel.  Students are also exposed to the Sabre airline reservation system.   The course will give a general overview of the different kinds of career opportunities in the travel and tourism industry.  Academic preparation, job opportunities, along with salaries and benefits of these industries will be discussed.

Culinary Arts I: (Juniors)  This course is designed to introduce students to the food service industry.  Topics include basic food preparation, sanitation, safety, use of equipment, and presentation.  Students also have the opportunity to work in our in-school restaurant, The Tornado Café.

Hospitality Practicum: (Seniors). This is course is an overview of practices for the “front of the house” management and the “back of the house” operations that drive the hospitality and food industries.  Students have the opportunity to work in the Tornado Café or work with one of our business partners in the hospitality industry.

Tornado Café:  This is our beautiful in-school restaurant which provides a hands-on experience for our students, using state of the art equipment.  The Tornado Café offers a varied menu for faculty and staff, as well as take-out service.  The facility also hosts meetings and caters special events.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Galloping Gourmet Club: Open to all students interested in culinary arts and fine dining.  Some of the activities include catering special events, learning advanced food preparation techniques, fund raising, community service, field trips, and enjoying fine dining experiences at local restaurants.  Club Advisors: Ms. Cooley and Ms. Stanard.

DECA/SkillsUSA Club: Open to all students interested in various aspects of the hospitality industry.  Some of the activities include field trips, learning advanced customer service and hospitality techniques, community service, and participating in state wide competition.  HRT students have placed third in the state in each of the l

 

Business Partners

enriching our students’ educational experience

through internships and other opportunities.

American Express, Mt. Laurel, NJ

Aramark

Capital Region Convention and Visitors Bureau

Five Star Foods

Hyatt Regency, Princeton

Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates

Lafayette Yard Marriott Hotel

Mercer County Community College

New Jersey Restaurant Association

Six Flags Great Adventure

St. Francis Hospital

TBOE Nutritional Services

Wegman’s Food Markets

 

TCHS Taste of Trenton

Recipe Corner

Trenton Travel Tidbits

 

Special Events