Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School
Vocational-technical school in Wakefield, Massachusetts, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School, also known as Northeast Metro Tech[3] or The Voke,[4] is a regional vocational school located in Wakefield, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1968 and draws students from the cities and towns of Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester, Woburn and Saugus.
| Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School | |
|---|---|
Northeast Metro Tech Building | |
| Location | |
 | |
100 Hemlock Road , 01880 United States | |
| 42°29′43″N 71°02′36″W | |
| Information | |
| School type | Public Schools, Vocational-technical school |
| Opened | 1968 |
School district | Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District |
NCES District ID | 2508960 |
| Superintendent | David DiBarri |
| CEEB code | 222171 |
NCES School ID | 08530605 |
Principal | Richard M. Barden |
Teaching staff | 128 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 1,414 (2025-26)[1] |
Student to teacher ratio | 10.33[1] |
Classes offered | College Preparatory, Honors, Learning Center, Advanced Placement and Early College |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| Athletics | Cheerleading, Cross-Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Indoor Track, Swimming, Wrestling, Baseball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Softball, Tennis |
Athletics conference | Commonwealth Athletic Conference |
| Mascot | Golden Knights |
| Nickname | The Voke |
| Team name | Golden Knights |
| Budget | $34,650,017 total $27,214 per pupil (2023)[2] |
Northeast Metro Tech currently operates nineteen vocational “shops”. These are Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing, Automotive Technology, Biotechnology, Business Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting, Design and Visual Communications, Drafting and Design, Early Childhood Education, Electrical, Health Assisting, HVAC and Refrigeration, Marketing Technology, Medical Assisting, Metal Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipefitting and Robotics and Automation.
The number of students each city or town sends is dependent on its population and the amount of money it contributes to the budget of the school. The City of Malden is the largest contributor of students, Chelsea is the second largest contributor, and Woburn is the third. Also, students from Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield and Medford, which border the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District, may attend the school if they apply and are approved. Students from Saugus may also attend.
Students in their senior year can decide whether they want to try out a Co-op program. This program changed from being one week of vocation to one week in the workforce.
The football team won back-to-back Division 4A State Championships in 2009 and 2010. The basketball team was division 1 national champs for 2010-2014
New Building Construction
In 2016, Superintendent David DiBarri began discussions with state legislators to gain support for a new school building for Northeast Metro Tech.[5] A feasibility study was conducted to assess potential options,[6] and the decision was made to demolish the existing facility and construct a new building on the current campus. The project was subsequently approved to appear on the ballot for a district-wide vote.
On January 25, 2022, the twelve municipalities that send students to the school, referred to as "sending communities", held a special election to determine whether to approve funding for the project.[7] Of the twelve communities, only Chelsea voted against the proposal; however, approximately 80% of voters supported the measure, securing the necessary approval for the project to proceed.[7] Construction officially began in August 2022.[8] Site mobilization took place in September and October 2023.[9] The new school building reached completion in May 2026 and will open at the start of the 2026–2027 academic year. [8][10]