For the 2025 school year, there are 8 vocational public high schools serving 827 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 85%.
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 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Vocational Public High Schools in North Carolina (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Vocational School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303
Grades: 9-13
| 172 students
Rank: #22.
Sea-tech
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Grades: 9-13
| 228 students
Rank: #33.
Nersba Early College
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1215 Saint Andrews St
Jamesville, NC 27846
(252) 792-0241
Jamesville, NC 27846
(252) 792-0241
Grades: 9-13
| 117 students
Rank: n/an/a
Aspire Trade High School
Vocational School
Charter School
Charter School
7125 Hambright Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 278-8009
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 278-8009
Grades: 9-10
| 196 students
Rank: n/an/a
Career And Technical Education Center
Vocational School
2550 Buckingham Road
Burlington, NC 27217
(336) 570-6092
Burlington, NC 27217
(336) 570-6092
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Career Center
Vocational School
910 Highland Court
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 727-8181
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 727-8181
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Elbert Edwin Waddell High School
Vocational School
7030 Nations Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-6270
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-6270
Grades: 9-10
| 114 students
Rank: n/an/a
Holton Career And Resource Center
Vocational School
401 North Driver St
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-2219
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-2219
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
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 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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