Best Vocational Public High Schools in North Carolina (2026)

Best North Carolina Vocational Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 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 score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and score of 75% (versus the 58% statewide average).

North Carolina vocational public high school have a 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 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Johnston County Schools Career Technical

Vocational School

(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

245 College Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 464-2303

Gr: 9-13 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%

Rank: #22.

Sea-tech

Vocational School

(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 70-79%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300

Gr: 9-13 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%

Rank: #33.

Nersba Early College

Vocational School

(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1215 Saint Andrews St
Jamesville, NC 27846
(252) 792-0241

Gr: 9-13 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Rank: n/an/a

Aspire Trade High School

Vocational School
Charter School

Add to Compare

7125 Hambright Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 278-8009

Gr: 9-10 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Rank: n/an/a

Career And Technical Education Center

Vocational School

Add to Compare

2550 Buckingham Road
Burlington, NC 27217
(336) 570-6092

Gr: 9-12

Rank: n/an/a

Career Center

Vocational School

Add to Compare

910 Highland Court
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 727-8181

Gr: 9-12

Rank: n/an/a

Elbert Edwin Waddell High School

Vocational School

Add to Compare

7030 Nations Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-6270

Gr: 9-10 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1

Rank: n/an/a

Holton Career And Resource Center

Vocational School

Add to Compare

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 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).