For the 2025 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 13,222 students in Lee County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,288 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Lee County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Lee County, NC are Lee Early College, Tramway Elementary School and Greenwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, 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 44% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Lee County 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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lee County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lee Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1105 Kelly Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 888-4502
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 888-4502
Gr: 9-13 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
Tramway Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
360 Center Church Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0170
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0170
Gr: K-5 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #33.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1127 Greenwood Rd
Lemon Springs, NC 28355
(919) 776-0506
Lemon Springs, NC 28355
(919) 776-0506
Gr: K-5 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #44.
Benhaven Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
520 Olive Farm Dr
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 499-4811
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 499-4811
Gr: PK-5 | 1,031 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #55.
Southern Lee High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2301 Tramway Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 718-2400
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 718-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,185 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #66.
Bt Bullock Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1410 Mcneill Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0160
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0160
Gr: K-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #77.
Deep River Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4000 Deep River Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-2722
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-2722
Gr: K-5 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #88.
Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Gr: 6-12 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
J Glenn Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3115 Cemetery Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 774-3733
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 774-3733
Gr: K-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1010.
J R Ingram Jr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3309 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3772
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3772
Gr: K-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1111.
Sanlee Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2309 Tramway Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 708-7227
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 708-7227
Gr: 6-8 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1212.
Lee County High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1708 Nash Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-7541
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-7541
Gr: 9-12 | 1,469 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1313.
Broadway Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
307 S Main St
Broadway, NC 27505
(919) 258-3828
Broadway, NC 27505
(919) 258-3828
Gr: PK-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1414.
Highland Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
345 Highland School Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 498-3331
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 498-3331
Gr: 6-8 | 803 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1515.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1915 Buffalo Lake Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 499-2200
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 499-2200
Gr: K-5 | 894 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1616.
Wb Wicker Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
900 S Vance St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 897-5400
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 897-5400
Gr: K-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1717.
West Lee Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3301 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7351
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7351
Gr: 6-8 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1818.
East Lee Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1337 Broadway Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-8441
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-8441
Gr: 6-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1919.
Mina Charter School Of Lee County
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2732 Industrial Drive
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 745-1442
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 745-1442
Gr: K-8 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2020.
Floyd L Knight Children Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
607 W Mcintosh St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634
Gr: PK-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2121.
Bragg Street Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
504 Bragg Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Gr: 6-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: n/an/a
Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County Rca
Charter School
283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Rank: n/an/a
Central Carolina Academy
Charter School
1801 Douglas Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Gr: 6-11 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Lee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Provisions Academy (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
806 Vance Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7800
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7800
Gr: 6-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Warren Williams Elementary Alternative (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
901 Lawrence St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3529
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3529
Gr: PK-5 | 60 students Minority enrollment: 85%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lee County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Lee County, NC include Lee Early College, Tramway Elementary School and Greenwood Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lee County?
23 public schools are located in Lee County.
What percentage of students in Lee County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Lee County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lee County include: Southern Lee High School vs. Lee County High School, Lee County High School vs. Southern Lee High School, East Lee Middle School vs. West Lee Middle School
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