For the 2025 school year, there are 10 vocational public 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 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Vocational ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø 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
Rank: n/an/a
Lcst
Vocational School
1 Timken Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Robeson Co Career Center
Vocational School
1339 Hilly Branch Road
Lumberton, NC 28359
(910) 671-6095
Lumberton, NC 28359
(910) 671-6095
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked vocational public schools in North Carolina?
The top ranked vocational public schools in North Carolina include Johnston County Schools Career Technical, Sea-tech and Nersba Early College.
How many vocational public schools are located in North Carolina?
10 vocational public schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina vocational public schools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Can Naviance Succeed Improve College and Career Readiness?
Learn about a new student assessment system, Naviance Succeed, which provides tools and support to increase student college and career readiness. A number of school districts are using the tool this year in hopes of improving student performance through more accurate assessment process than are currently available.
Do You Need After School Day Care? ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools May Be the Solution
Learn about how your child's public school may be the best source of after school and vacation day care.
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
