Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

What Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School does

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School (SVAHS / Smith Tech) is a public high school located in Northampton, Massachusetts, established in 1908 as the first vocational school in Massachusetts through the Oliver Smith bequest. The institution delivers a dual-track educational model that integrates rigorous academic instruction with state-approved Chapter 74 vocational and technical programs, operating on an alternating-week schedule that rotates students between shop and academic classrooms. SVAHS primarily serves Northampton residents and tuition students from Hampshire County, with 9th-grade admissions conducted through an electronic random-number-generated lottery system.

The school's core product portfolio comprises 15 award-winning Chapter 74 vocational programs spanning advanced manufacturing, agricultural mechanics, animal science, automotive technology, cabinet making, carpentry, collision repair, cosmetology, culinary arts, electrical, graphic design and visual communication, health assisting, horticulture/forestry, plumbing, and public safety. Each program awards Industry-Related Credentials (IRCs) — including MACWIC certifications, NATEF/AYES accreditations, Adobe Certified Professional, ServSafe, and various journeyman-eligible hours — enabling immediate employment upon graduation. The institution also operates the Oliver Smith Farm across 500+ acres, housing beef and dairy herds, goats, sheep, pigs, and equine for the Animal Science program. Technology infrastructure includes Google Workspace for Education, plusportals for gradebook access, Rediker student information systems, SMART Mirror display software, and CIPA-compliant internet filtering.

SVAHS operates as a government-funded public entity without traditional commercial revenue mechanics; primary funding flows through state and local education budgets, with tuition charged for out-of-district students from sending Hampshire County districts on a space-available basis per M.G.L. c. 74. Supplemental revenue streams include Adult Community Education (ACE) evening and weekend classes with one-time tuition, yearbook sales ($65 early, $75 late), and senior dues ($150). The school extends its value proposition through articulation agreements with the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst (3 college credits for Horticulture/Forestry graduates) and Springfield Technical Community College (up to 12 credits plus Bachelor's pathway via Northwestern University), alongside a Cooperative Employment Program that matches eligible juniors and seniors with paid employer placements aligned to their trade.

Name

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

Legal name

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

Website

https://smithtec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is a public Massachusetts school operating 15 Chapter 74 vocational programs across manufacturing, agriculture, trades, and services, serving Hampshire County students on a 500-acre farm campus with articulation agreements to UMass and STCC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational and Agricultural Secondary Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Career technical education
• Agricultural education
• High school education
• Adult community education

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton, MA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: Public high school funded through state and local education funding. Accepts tuition students from all of Hampshire County on a space-available basis per Massachusetts state guidelines (M.G.L. c. 74).
2. Adult Community Education Tuition: Evening and weekend vocational/technical classes and workshops for adult learners. Tuition-based with refund policy: full refund if cancelled by school; 10% administrative fee if student cancels before start; no refund after class begins.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is a public high school that provides Chapter 74-approved career and technical education (CTE) programs combined with academic instruction on an alternating-week schedule to students in grades 9-12. The school offers 15 award-winning vocational programs across trades such as manufacturing, automotive, construction, culinary arts, cosmetology, health assisting, and public safety, supplemented by a 500+ acre working farm for animal science and agricultural programs. Students earn both a high school diploma and a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency with Industry Related Credentials (IRCs) for immediate employment or post-secondary education.

Product overview

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School is a public high school offering a dual-track educational model combining rigorous academics with Chapter 74-approved vocational and technical programs. The school operates on a week-alternating schedule where students rotate between shop (vocational) and academic programs. The core portfolio includes 15 award-winning vocational programs spanning manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, construction trades (carpentry, electrical, plumbing), culinary arts, cosmetology, health sciences, and public safety. These programs lead to Industry Related Credentials (IRCs) for immediate employment. The school also offers an Adult Community Education (ACE) program for continuing education and a Cooperative Employment Program connecting eligible students with paid work experience. The school's agricultural programs operate Oliver Smith Farm on over 500 acres, and articulation agreements with institutions like UMass Amherst provide college credit pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smith Vocational PTO: Parent-teacher organization that supports the school through events including Election Day food service, Vendor Craft Fair, Plant & Garden Sale breakfast, and Staff Appreciation Brunch.
• SVAHS Alumni Association
• Oliver Smith Restaurant
• SVAHS Salon
• Oliver Smith Farm
• Adult Community Education (ACE)

Products and services

• Vocational and Technical Education Programs (Chapter 74) State-approved Chapter 74 vocational and technical education programs providing students with skills for immediate employment. Students earn Industry Related Credentials (IRCs) while completing their high school education through alternating shop and academic programs.
• Advanced Manufacturing Four-year metalworking program teaching CNC control operation, CAD/CAM procedures, precision measurement, and 3D solid modeling. Students earn MACWIC Level 1 and 2 certifications and OSHA 10 card.
• Agricultural Mechanics Agricultural program covering biological sciences, outdoor work, equipment operation and repair, and natural resources management. Includes labor unions apprenticeship pathways.
• Animal Science Animal agriculture program with two concentrations: Livestock Production (beef, dairy, goats, sheep, pigs, equine) and Companion Animal (canine, feline, reptiles, amphibians, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs). Operates Oliver Smith Farm on 500+ acres.
• Automotive Technology NATEF and AYES certified program training students in engine repair, engine performance, manual drive train, brakes, suspension, steering, and electrical/electronic systems. Includes 12-bay service facility with computerized diagnostic center.
• Cabinet Making Four-year cabinetmaking and millwork program covering wood properties, design, fabrication of kitchen cabinets and furniture, CAD, CNC, and countertop construction. Working toward woodworkers career alliance certification.
• Carpentry Mill, cabinet making, and house carpentry program teaching residential, commercial, and industrial trades. Includes house-building program, blueprint reading, computer aided design, and United Brotherhood of Carpenters certifications.
• Collision Repair NATEF certified program teaching vehicle repair and refinishing skills including welding, straightening, refinishing equipment operation, paint mixing, spray booth operation, and frame straightening.
• Cosmetology State licensure preparation program covering hair styling, coloring, permanent waving, facials, manicuring, and makeup. Requires 1,000 instructional hours for State Cosmetology Board examination eligibility. Operates the SVAHS Salon for practical experience.
• Culinary Arts Food service industry preparation program with commercial kitchen laboratory, student-run restaurant (Oliver Smith Restaurant, open Wed-Fri), and certifications in ServSafe, ProStart, ManageFirst, OSHA 10, FDRP, and Allergen Awareness.
• Electrical Electrical equipment installation program covering light, heat, power, data, and telecommunications for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. Includes 320 theory hours and 1,675 work-related hours for journeyman license.
• Graphic Design and Visual Communication Design program teaching Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, plus pre-press, digital/wide format/screen printing, digital photography, bindery, and finishing operations. Students can earn Adobe Certified Professional credentials.
• Health Assisting Healthcare careers program with clinical laboratory and community-based sites. Credentials include Massachusetts C.N.A., American Heart Association CPR BLS, Phlebotomy Technician, and Home Health Aid.
• Horticulture/Forestry Arboriculture, landscaping, and horticulture industry training covering landscape design, construction, maintenance, heavy equipment operations, tree care, nursery/greenhouse production, and turf management. Articulation agreement with UMass Amherst Stockbridge School for 3 college credits.
• Plumbing Piping systems installation and repair program covering heating, gas piping, drainage, waste, vent systems, and potable water. Includes OSHA 30 certification and 330 theory hours for journeyman license.
• Public Safety Criminal justice academy-style program covering law, police procedures, emergency response, firefighting, and emergency telecommunicator certification. Credentials include OSHA 10, FEMA certifications, First Aid/CPR/Defib, and APCO Basic Telecommunicator.
• Adult Community Education (ACE) Lifelong learning program offering evening and weekend classes for employment skills and personal enrichment. Instructors are professionals, artisans, business owners, and trade masters. Classes run Monday through Thursday 4pm-10pm in Fall and Spring sessions.
• Cooperative Employment Program Work-based learning program allowing eligible juniors and seniors to alternate employment weeks with academic weeks. Students earn wages while gaining industry experience matched to their trade. Available to students who excel in shop and academics with positive attendance and behavior after the 91st day of junior year.
• College and Career Counseling Comprehensive counseling services including career and college planning, ASVAB testing, SAT/PSAT administration, college visits, mock interview days, financial aid guidance, and scholarship information.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students earn Industry Related Credentials (IRCs) for immediate employment upon graduation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass AmherstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrants 3 academic credits to graduates of the Smith Tech Horticulture/Forestry program who are accepted to Stockbridge. Articulation agreement facilitates pathway from high school vocational training to college degree.
• Springfield Technical Community College (STCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent articulation agreements allow for up to 12 college credits in Mechanical Engineering program. Pathway to Bachelor's program through Northwestern University hosted on-site at STCC.
• Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic ConferenceminorOthersSmith Vocational Vikings compete under guidelines set by Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Cooperative sports programs with Smith Academy (football, lacrosse, field hockey), Easthampton High School (ice hockey), Hampshire Regional (skiing), Hopkins Academy (wrestling), Northampton High School (swimming).
• Cooperative Employment PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal employers who hire co-op students. Co-op Coordinator and Department Head evaluate students. Employment matched to student needs. Program available to eligible juniors (91st day) and seniors who excel in shop and academics with positive attendance and behavior.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School: Massachusetts regional vocational technical high school with similar shop rotation, CTE program portfolio, and industry credential pathway. Comparable in scale and serves as a strong structural benchmark for enrollment and program outcomes.
• Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School: Western Massachusetts-adjacent regional vocational technical high school with comparable Chapter 74 program mix, cooperative employment program, and adult education evening classes. Geographic peer with similar regional labor market dynamics.
• Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School: Massachusetts regional vocational technical high school with shared Chapter 74 framework, equivalent IRC credentialing, cooperative education program, and a regional tuition model. Operates as a direct comparator in DESE rankings.
• Greater Lowell Technical High School: Massachusetts Chapter 74 vocational technical high school with parallel admissions lottery, similar mix of vocational programs (auto, carpentry, culinary, cosmetology), and articulation agreements with local colleges. Closest direct analog in size and program breadth.
• Nashoba Valley Technical High School: Massachusetts Chapter 74 regional vocational technical high school with parallel admissions lottery, similar set of trade programs including culinary, cosmetology, and automotive, and an adult evening education extension.
• Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School (Monty Tech): Massachusetts Chapter 74 regional vocational high school serving multiple towns with similar shop/academic alternating-week model and a broad set of vocational programs including healthcare, manufacturing, and trades. Comparable size, mission, and funding structure.
• Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School: Massachusetts regional vocational technical high school, the first regional vocational school district in the Commonwealth, with equivalent admissions lottery, CTE program portfolio, and IRC credentialing framework.

Regional players

• Northampton High School: Cooperative sports partner that shares a swimming program with SVAHS and operates the city's main public high school from which SVAHS draws many applicants. Adjacent positioning in the same district and feeder pipeline.
• UMass Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture: Partner institution that grants 3 academic credits to Smith Tech Horticulture/Forestry graduates. Comparable as a regional agricultural education provider and the natural next-step institution for SVAHS horticulture students.
• Springfield Technical Community College (STCC): Partner institution that grants SVAHS graduates up to 12 college credits in Mechanical Engineering and hosts the Northwestern University on-site bachelor's pathway. Comparable as a Massachusetts technical education provider, though at the post-secondary level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TheRealSVAHS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC08K082bXcq6yJYNVNo1iHw
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmithVocationalAndAgriculturalHighSchool/?fref=ts
• Instagraminstagram.com/therealsvahs/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/smith-vocational-and-agricultural-high-school

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School