Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County School District

283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
6/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 655 students in Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County School District have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
2 Schools
2,149 Schools
# Students
655 Students
1,095,543 Students
# Teachers
46 Teachers
71,743 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has decreased from PS% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#151 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(21-22)
42%
51%
59%
50%
65-69%
63%
(2022-23)
15.5%
28.7%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.64
0.72
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
20%
22%
% Black
13%
24%
% White
54%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
11%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $5,151 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,170. The school district revenue/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $5,127 is less than the state median of $11,594. The school district spending/student has declined by 32% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$3 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$5,151
$11,170
Spending / Student
$5,127
$11,594

Best Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County School District Public Elementary Schools (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: 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%

Recent Articles

Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: 06-12
  • Enrollment: 655 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 46%
  • : Top 50% in NC
  • : 42% (Btm 50%)
  • : 59% (Top 30%)
  • : 65-69% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links