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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Sanford Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 12,224 students in Sanford, NC (there are 4 private schools, serving 852 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Sanford, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Sanford, NC are Lee Early College, Tramway Elementary School and Benhaven Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sanford, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Sanford have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Sanford, NC (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.
Tramway Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
360 Center Church Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0170
Gr: K-5 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Benhaven Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
520 Olive Farm Dr
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 499-4811
Gr: PK-5 | 1,065 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
Bt Bullock Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1410 Mcneill Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0160
Gr: K-5 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #66.
Deep River Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4000 Deep River Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-2722
Gr: K-5 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
J Glenn Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3115 Cemetery Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 774-3733
Gr: K-5 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
J R Ingram Jr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3309 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3772
Gr: K-5 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1010.
Sanlee Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2309 Tramway Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 708-7227
Gr: 6-8 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
Highland Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
345 Highland School Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 498-3331
Gr: 6-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1313.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1915 Buffalo Lake Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 499-2200
Gr: PK-5 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1414.
Wb Wicker Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
900 S Vance St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 897-5400
Gr: K-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
West Lee Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3301 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7351
Gr: 6-8 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1616.
East Lee Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1337 Broadway Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-8441
Gr: 6-8 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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
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 schools in Sanford, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Sanford, NC include Lee Early College, Tramway Elementary School and Benhaven Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Sanford?
21 public schools are located in Sanford.
What percentage of students in Sanford go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Sanford are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sanford?
Sanford public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Sanford are often viewed compared to one another?

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