For the second time this school year, Minuteman High School, in Lexington, is opening its doors to the region’s middle-school students and their parents. Its spring open house is set for Thursday, March 5, from 7 to 9 p.m.

"This a chance for parents and students to give us a good look and ask the tough questions," said interim Principal Jack Dillon in a Feb. 12 news release. "Any student thinking about applying to Minuteman and any parent thinking about sending a child here is invited.”

Students from grades six, seven and eight are all invited, he said.

The open house will start with a brief presentation from Dillon, followed by short overviews of Minuteman’s program offerings from Michelle Roche, director of career and technical education, and William J. Blake Jr., director of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Dillon said open house is a chance for parents and students to "hear from the experts" -- Minuteman’s faculty and staff. He said department heads will be on hand to answer questions and to coordinate tours of the building.

During the event, parents and students can also meet with George Clement, just appointed as interim assistant principal of education services. Clement oversees the admissions process at Minuteman.

Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school that seeks to give its graduates a competitive edge in the new global economy by providing them with career skills – plus a rigorous grounding in mathematics, English, science and social studies. It is one of 26 regional career and technical school districts in Massachusetts.

Minuteman has a selective-admissions policy. Admissions decisions are based on five factors: grades, attendance, discipline record, recommendations from the partner school and a personal interview.

Students can earn a maximum of 100 points, with up to 20 points possible on each of the five factors. Students with the highest scores are accepted first.

There are nearly 4,000 eighth graders in the Minuteman district. Only 150-160 students will be able to join Minuteman’s ninth-grade class in the fall.

Students from within the 16-town Minuteman district are accepted on a rolling basis but are urged to apply early. For students from outside the district, the application deadline is March 15.

"We work very hard to make sure that each of our students will be successful," said Dillon. "While they’re here, we want them to discover their passion and link what they love to do with a career path that will bring them personal satisfaction and economic success."

At Minuteman, students can major in 19 career and technical education programs at the same time they take rigorous academic courses, similar to those in traditional academic high schools. Minuteman offers a wide selection of academic courses and programs, including foreign languages (Spanish, French and Latin), art, Advanced Placement courses, and Girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). It also offers a wide range of sports and does not charge any fees to participate.

Bus transportation is provided to all students within the Minuteman district.

After graduation, more than 60 percent of the school’s graduates pursue college or advanced training.

The Minuteman district includes 16 member communities: Acton, Arlington, Belmont, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Lincoln, Needham, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.

This extended announcement was published Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015.