Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is a four-year Career/Technical High School located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is a public high school for residents of Northampton and tuition students from all of Hampshire County. Students spend alternating weeks in shop and academic programs as they prepare for both a high school diploma and a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and all shop programs meet state standards for vocational education programs.Mission statementThe mission of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is to prepare students for social responsibility, employment, and post secondary education through rigorous, applied technical and academic programs.HistorySmith Vocational and Agricultural High School was established by a bequest from Oliver Smith. Smith was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts in 1766. He engaged in farming at an early age, and acquired large wealth by stock-raising. He was a magistrate for forty years; twice he was a representative to the legislature; and in 1820, he was a member of the State constitutional convention. His bequest for an Agricultural School became available for use in 1905, and the amount of $50,000 was turned over to the City of Northampton for the purchase of the land for Smith School, which opened for students in 1908 as the first vocational school in Massachusetts.Career-technical educationSmith Vocational offers students career-technical training in 12 areas: Agriculture Mechanics/Animal Science Auto Collision Repair Automotive Technology Carpentry Cosmetology Culinary Arts Electrical Graphic Communications/Printing Technology Health Technology Horticulture/Forestry Manufacturing Technologies Plumbing Technology