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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lee County Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public charter schools serving 1,476 students in Lee County, NC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Lee County, NC are Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County and Rising Leaders Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in Lee County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public charter school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Lee County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Gr: 6-12 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Rising Leaders Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2732 Industrial Drive
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 745-1442
Gr: K-8 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Ascend Leadership Remote Academy
Charter School
283 Harvey Faulk Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Gr: 6-8 | 27 students Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Central Carolina Academy
Charter School
1801 Douglas Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Gr: 6-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Lee County, NC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Lee County, NC include Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County and Rising Leaders Academy.
How many public charter schools are located in Lee County?
4 public charter schools are located in Lee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County public charter schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 54% (majority Black).

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