For the 2026 school year, there are 10 vocational public 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 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 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Vocational Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1215 Saint Andrews St
Jamesville, NC 27846
(252) 792-0241
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
Charter School
7125 Hambright Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(980) 399-7554
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
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
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
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
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-2219
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Lcst
Vocational School
1 Timken Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Gr: Inquire with school
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
Gr: Inquire with school
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 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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