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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best North Carolina Vocational Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 vocational public high schools serving 930 students in North Carolina.
Vocational schools offer a series of courses which directly prepare individuals in paid or unpaid employment in jobs that have requirements other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree.
The top-ranked vocational public high schools in North Carolina are Johnston County Schools Career Technical, Sea-tech and Nersba Early College. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina vocational public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 58% statewide average).
North Carolina vocational public high school have a Graduation Rate of 90%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Johnston County Schools Career Technical, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Vocational Public High Schools in North Carolina (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Vocational School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Gr: 9-13 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #22.
Sea-tech
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Gr: 9-13 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Nersba Early College
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1215 Saint Andrews St
Jamesville, NC 27846
(252) 792-0241
Gr: 9-13 | 122 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: n/an/a
Aspire Trade High School
Vocational School
Charter School
7125 Hambright Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(980) 399-7554
Gr: 9-11 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: n/an/a
Career And Technical Education Center
Vocational School
2550 Buckingham Road
Burlington, NC 27217
(336) 570-6092
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Career Center
Vocational School
910 Highland Court
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 727-8181
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Elbert Edwin Waddell High School
Vocational School
7030 Nations Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-2142
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Holton Career And Resource Center
Vocational School
401 North Driver St
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-2219
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked vocational public high schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked vocational public high schools in North Carolina include Johnston County Schools Career Technical, Sea-tech and Nersba Early College.
How many vocational public high schools are located in North Carolina?
8 vocational public high schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina vocational public high schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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