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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Sanford Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 4,173 students in Sanford, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Sanford, 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.
Sanford, 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 Sanford have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Sanford, 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 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.
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 Sanford, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Sanford, NC include Lee Early College, Southern Lee High School and Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County.
How many public high schools are located in Sanford?
7 public high schools are located in Sanford.
What is the racial composition of students in Sanford?
Sanford 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 Sanford are often viewed compared to one another?

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