Want to know if your local high school offers discounted meals, services? Here's our list.
Depending on where you live, your local high school may offer everything from gourmet meals to haircuts and highlights, custom-built sheds to oil changes, all at a steep discount.
But that information often isn't widely advertised, and details about hours and availability can be hard to find.
Below, we've compiled a list of career and technical education programs that offer services for the general public, based on information provided on their websites or in response to inquiries from The Providence Journal.
This isn't a comprehensive guide, since some schools hadn't provided detailed information about their offerings by publication time. If you don't see the career-tech program in your community listed, it's worth following the school's Facebook page or Instagram account, which is where you'll typically find out when students are holding plant sales, taking holiday pie orders, welcoming salon clients, or selling Adirondack chairs that they've made.
Cranston Area Career and Technical Center
Located on the grounds of Cranston High School West, the Meshanticut Room will be open for sit-down dinner service on selected Friday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. during the spring semester. Themes are as follows:
Feb. 23: Feasts of JapanMarch 1: L's Tavern (bar/comfort food)March 8: The Tavern (medieval theme)March 22: IHOB (International House of Breakfast)April 5: Out WestApril 26: Once Upon a Dream (Disney theme)May 3: Pardis (tropical theme)May 10: Mezclada, a blend of cultures
Students in the culinary program also routinely have special offerings for holidays – they'll make side dishes for Thanksgiving, for instance, or 2½-pound cookie platters for Christmas. Follow them at instagram.com/cactc_culinary to find out when they're taking orders.
The graphic communications program can make business cards, T-shirts, vehicle wraps, banners, posters and practically any printed materials.
The architectural drafting program provides free design services and blueprints for a limited number of clients each year. Additionally, the construction technology and welding program will take on some projects, such as building sheds, for members of the public. (There's high demand for these services, and students can only take on a limited number of projects in a year, so call early.)
The aquaculture program also grows hydroponic herbs and vegetables, which are sold at an annual plant sale in the spring.
To inquire about any of these services, call the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center at (401) 270-8070.
Coventry Regional Career and Technical Center
The highly regarded Knotty Oak Room, located at Coventry High School, is typically open from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday during the school year. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing knottyoakroom@coventryschools.net, or calling (401) 822-9499, ext. 292, between 9 and 10 a.m.
The culinary department also offers catered lunch spreads and takes orders for baked goods, including holiday specials such as Thanksgiving pies and St. Joseph's Day zeppole. Supplies are limited, so calling early is recommended.
Menus and more information can be found online at sites.google.com/coventryschools.net/theknottyoakroom.
Newport Area Career and Technical Center
The Colonial Dining Room, located inside the career-tech center's building, is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday. Hot food is served starting at 10:15 a.m., and the last lunch seating is at 12:30 p.m. Takeout, catering and ready-to-eat sandwiches, salads and pastries are also available.
The restaurant is typically open from October to May. Unlike the others on this list, it does not require reservations (though it's worth double-checking to make sure that school is in session before you drive over).
The school's automotive department does oil changes, tire replacements, brake repairs and more. It has an alignment machine and a tire changer, and typically charges $25 an hour for labor plus a small markup for parts. Hours are usually 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, from October to May. Call (401) 847-6235, ext. 7927, to make an appointment.
On Wednesdays from 8:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., cosmetology students perform haircuts, blowouts, moisturizing treatments, facials, hair coloring, highlights, manicures and facial waxing at steeply discounted prices. Call (401) 849-0490, ext. 2901, to make an appointment.
Additionally, students in the construction program will build sheds and garages for people who live in the surrounding area. There is a charge for materials and labor, and the department can only take on one or two projects a year. Seniors also typically have an Adirondack chair sale in May.
Providence Career and Technical Academy
Culinary students showcase their skills at the academy's café, which is open from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays when school is in session. The public is welcome, "but we do like to know who will be visiting and when so we can host safely," said assistant principal Brian Bordieri.
Call ahead to make a reservation at (401) 456-9136, ext. 6. The culinary department also takes special orders for pastries and baked goods but typically requires two weeks' notice.
Cosmetology is open for services everyday from 8:30 to 12, as well as the first Saturday of every month from 9-3. Call (401)456-9136 x. 61102 for appointments and information.
Warwick Area Career & Technical Center
The new Tides Restaurant is open to the public on Thursdays during the school year and has seatings at 11:30 a.m. and noon, according to the center's website. Reservations are required and can be made at (401) 734-3161 from 8 to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Members of the public can also call ahead to order pastries and baked goods, including sheet cakes, fruit squares and assorted pastry boxes.
Additionally, family-style meals designed to feed four people are available for takeout on Fridays. Weekly specials can be found online at wactc.warwickschools.org/o/wactc/page/tides-restaurant.
Westerly High School
At Westerly High, cosmetology students perform services for customers at a very nominal cost, according to Kevin Cronin, director of career and technical education.
Additionally, construction students can be contracted for projects; culinary students provide catering services; and arts students do printing, screen printing and larger mural-type projects. Students in the advanced manufacturing program can provide design and machining services.
Is your school's program missing from this list? Email afarzan@providencejournal.com with details and we'll add it.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: These RI career academies have cheap meals, low cost services
