Don Bosco Technical Institute

In addition to the academic program, all students are required to participate in the school's pre-engineering/technology program and declare a major in one of six technology fields:[12]

• ACE — Architecture and Construction Engineering
• BMET — Biological, Medical, and Environmental Technology
• CSEE — Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
• IDEA — Integrated Design, Engineering and Art
• MAT — Media Arts and Technology
• MSET — Materials Science, Engineering and Technology

All entering freshmen are required to attend a mandatory summer program prior to their ninth-grade year. This program includes a five-week Principles of Engineering class and an intensive math, English and study skills seminar. The seminar is similar to the summer bridge program offered at most universities and prepares students for the rigors of Bosco Tech's math and science curriculum.

In the fall semester, the freshmen enroll in three, six-week introductory technology courses chosen from the school's six technology departments. After their first semester of study, freshman students will select a technology major. They will remain in that major for the duration of their ninth-grade year and for the proceeding three years. It is important to note, the sequential nature of the technology coursework makes it difficulty for transfer students after the tenth grade and will require all transfer students to complete summer coursework.

Since the opening of the school, it has offered a variety of diverse student organizations and clubs, including:[13][14]

The school has been recognized for its renowned debate team, which has competed and placed successfully in local and national debate tournaments, even though mainly composed of underclassmen. For the first time in the school's history, it sent a Public Forum Debate Team to the National Championships held in June 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This team was composed of junior classmen Evan Godfrey and Aris Govjian.[15]

The school also has a special relationship with its "sister schools": Ramona Convent in Alhambra; San Gabriel Mission High School in San Gabriel; and Alverno in Sierra Madre; The school participates with its sister schools in several activities and organizations:

• The Bosco Tech Yell, Cheer, Pep flags and Mascot program
• The yearly March for Hunger, by walking 26 miles (42 km) from Salazar Park in Los Angeles to Santa Monica Beach while raising money for the Los Angeles Catholic Worker's Hospitality Kitchen with Ramona Convent, Damien High School in La Verne, California and St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California
• As of the 2019-2020 year, Bosco Tech's Music Program and the FRC Robotics Club now take in students from sister schools to participate.

A 90-member Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band and Pageantry in a 1970s Arcadia Band Review. Photo courtesy of Al Galaviz, Class of 1973.

The music program at Bosco Tech consists of:

• Marching Band
• Wind Ensemble
• Percussion Ensemble
• Jazz Band
• Jazz Honor Band
• Music Appreciation

Music education was emphasized as one of the main focuses of Don Bosco's educational approach. Therefore, since the school's birth in 1955, the "Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band" became the school's first and oldest extracurricular activity. Bosco Tech's music program was founded in 1957. Its most famous band director was Brother Eugene Burns, who directed the band from 1957-1978. In the 1970-1971 season, the auxiliary units were formed by San Gabriel Mission High School only until 1991, when girls from Ramona Convent Secondary School joined the units. The band had marched 70+ members in the 1970s, but, in recent years, band membership has averaged 35–40 members. Despite its relatively small size, the marching band and the auxiliary units have scored high points in their division and have even received sweepstakes.

The marching band is known throughout the state as "the band with the cannon". Its trademark cannon, made on the school premises, was fired and pulled by two students in front of the band during band reviews and parades in various Southern California cities, such as Arcadia, Temple City, Long Beach, Montebello, Azusa and San Francisco. The band has also appeared in the Los Angeles County Fair, a University of Southern California football game,[16] the California 500 Speedway in Ontario, Disneyland's "America on Parade", Dodger Stadium, San Francisco's Columbus Day Parade, the Hawaii Invitational Music Festival, the Kennedy Space Center, Sea World San Diego and Universal Studios Florida.

During the Winter of the 2017-18 school year, the band's membership grew to 48 members. During this time there were more students involved in the band than the football team.

The next year, in the 2018-19 school year, the band opened its registration to its sister schools:San Gabriel Mission High School and Ramona Convent Secondary School, as those schools did not have proper music programs. For the first time in 61 years, the Bosco Tech Music Program features players of both genders.

• One of the school's original cheers celebrated the inherent "geek" status of the students at a technical high school.

Secant, tangent, cosine, sine
Three point one four, one five nine
Slide rule, slide rule, sis boom bah
Bosco Tech, beat them raw!

• In 1975 Bosco Tech paid $200 to the then "garage-band" Van Halen to perform at a campus music show.[17]
• Black Eyed Peas performed at Bosco Tech's end-of-year dance back in 2001
• Black Eyed Peas filmed the music video for their song "Big Love" during the summer of 2018 at Bosco Tech.[18]
• The current mascot, the Tiger, was adopted after a student vote in 1986. The historic mascot of the school is the "Techman."
• The school has one of the oldest high school Kairos retreat programs in Southern California. Students have been going on the retreat since the 1980s.

Twice a school year, during fall and spring, the students participate in the Salesian Spirit Games. In these games the 6 technologies compete against each other in different sports. Each grade level is given a sport to compete in:

• Volleyball (Freshman)
• Soccer (Sophomores)
• Basketball (Juniors)
• Football (Seniors)

The winner of the Salesian Spirit Games is awarded the Salesian Cup. In addition to sports, the 6 technologies compete for spirit. The Tech with the most spirit displayed throughout the games wins the Spirit Cup.