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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lee County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 4,102 students in Lee County, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Lee County, NC are Lee Early College, Southern Lee High School and Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Lee County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Lee County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 82%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Lee Early College, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Lee County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lee Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1105 Kelly Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 888-4502
Gr: 9-13 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
Southern Lee High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2301 Tramway Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 718-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,180 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Lee County High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1708 Nash Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-7541
Gr: 9-12 | 1,459 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #55.
Floyd L Knight Children Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
607 W Mcintosh St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634
Gr: PK-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #66.
Bragg Street Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
504 Bragg Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Gr: 6-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
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 high schools in Lee County, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Lee County, NC include Lee Early College, Southern Lee High School and Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County.
How many public high schools are located in Lee County?
7 public high schools are located in Lee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County public high schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Lee County are often viewed compared to one another?

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