Home > North Carolina > Lee County

Lee County Schools

Item: Lee County Schools
Rating: 4
Author: Public School Review

106 Gordon St
Sanford, NC 27330

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (919) 774-6226

www.lee.k12.nc.us

Top Rankings

Lee County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

16 Schools

2,729 Schools

# Students

9,131 Students

1,548,397 Students

# Teachers

566 Teachers

96,034 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

16:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	55	76
Kind	731	315
1	708	325
2	704	330
3	736	341
4	702	325
5	711	333
6	626	333
7	565	336
8	670	338
9	851	385
10	692	359
11	742	337
12	638	315

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District Rank

Lee County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 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 82% has decreased from 89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#212 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Lee County Schools
2023	#212
2022	#212
2021	#223
2019	#191
2018	#159
2017	#183
2016	#167
2015	#173
2014	#153
2013	#122
2012	#134
2011	#119
2010	#111

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(21-22)

46%

51%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	46%	51%
2021	31%	42%
2019	37%	42%
2018	39%	48%
2017	43%	47%
2016	44%	47%
2015	39%	44%
2014	39%	43%
2013	40%	42%
2012	82%	82%
2011	84%	82%
2010	83%	81%

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42%

50%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	42%	50%
2021	39%	47%
2019	39%	46%
2018	39%	47%
2017	41%	46%
2016	40%	47%
2015	38%	46%
2014	38%	46%
2013	41%	45%
2012	69%	73%
2011	67%	70%
2010	66%	69%

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59%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	59%	63%
2021	51%	61%

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82%

86.5%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	82%	86%
2022	88%	86%
2021	87%	85%
2020	87%	86%
2019	88%	85%
2018	89%	86%
2017	90%	88%
2016	89%	88%
2015	89%	87%
2014	88%	86%
2013	86%	85%
2012	84%	83%
2011	80%	81%

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(2022-23)

24.3%

28.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	24.3%	28.7%
2022	41.2%	33.4%
2021	33%	25.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.68

0.72

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.68	0.71
2022	0.69	0.70
2021	0.69	0.69
2020	0.69	0.70
2019	0.69	0.68
2018	0.68	0.68
2017	0.68	0.67
2016	0.68	0.66
2015	0.67	0.66
2014	0.68	0.65
2013	0.68	0.65
2012	0.68	0.64
2011	0.67	0.64
2010	0.66	0.61
2009	0.66	0.61
2008	0.65	0.61
2007	0.65	0.60
2006	0.64	0.58
2005	0.63	0.57
2004	0.62	0.57
2003	0.62	0.56
2002	0.61	0.55
2001	0.60	0.53
2000	0.58	0.53
1999	0.57	0.51
1998	0.56	0.51
1997	0.54	0.50
1996	0.53	0.49
1995	0.50	0.49
1994	0.49	0.48
1993	0.48	0.48
1992	0.47	0.48
1991	0.46	0.48
1990	0.45	0.48
1989	0.45	0.47
1988	0.45	0.47

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

Showing 2007–2020. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (2003-2020)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	2%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	2%
2008	2%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	2%	2%
1997	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

44%

22%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1990-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	41%	20%
2022	40%	20%
2021	38%	19%
2020	37%	19%
2019	37%	18%
2018	35%	18%
2017	35%	17%
2016	35%	16%
2015	34%	16%
2014	32%	15%
2013	32%	14%
2012	31%	13%
2011	30%	13%
2010	27%	11%
2009	26%	11%
2008	26%	11%
2007	25%	10%
2006	23%	8%
2005	21%	8%
2004	20%	7%
2003	19%	6%
2002	17%	5%
2001	15%	4%
2000	14%	4%
1999	12%	3%
1998	10%	3%
1997	9%	2%
1996	8%	2%
1995	5%	2%
1994	4%	1%
1993	4%	1%
1992	3%	1%
1991	2%	1%
1990	2%	1%

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% Black

20%

24%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	20%	25%
2022	20%	25%
2021	20%	25%
2020	21%	24%
2019	21%	25%
2018	21%	25%
2017	21%	26%
2016	22%	26%
2015	21%	26%
2014	21%	26%
2013	21%	26%
2012	22%	26%
2011	21%	26%
2010	27%	31%
2009	27%	31%
2008	23%	29%
2007	24%	29%
2006	27%	31%
2005	27%	32%
2004	27%	31%
2003	27%	31%
2002	28%	31%
2001	28%	31%
2000	28%	31%
1999	29%	31%
1998	29%	31%
1997	30%	31%
1996	30%	31%
1995	31%	30%
1994	31%	30%
1993	31%	30%
1992	31%	30%
1991	31%	30%
1990	31%	30%
1989	32%	30%
1988	31%	30%

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% White

30%

42%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	33%	44%
2022	35%	45%
2021	36%	46%
2020	37%	46%
2019	37%	48%
2018	40%	48%
2017	40%	49%
2016	40%	50%
2015	42%	50%
2014	42%	51%
2013	43%	52%
2012	43%	53%
2011	45%	53%
2010	44%	54%
2009	45%	54%
2008	47%	55%
2007	48%	56%
2006	48%	57%
2005	50%	57%
2004	52%	58%
2003	52%	59%
2002	54%	60%
2001	56%	61%
2000	57%	61%
1999	58%	63%
1998	59%	63%
1997	60%	64%
1996	62%	65%
1995	64%	65%
1994	65%	66%
1993	65%	66%
1992	66%	66%
1991	67%	66%
1990	67%	66%
1989	68%	67%
1988	68%	67%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	5%	6%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	6%
2019	3%	5%
2018	3%	4%
2017	3%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	3%	4%
2013	2%	4%
2012	2%	4%
2011	2%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,904 is higher than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,969 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$127 MM

$20,622 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$127 MM	$11 MM
2022	$143 MM	$9 MM
2021	$103 MM	$8 MM
2020	$105 MM	$8 MM
2019	$96 MM	$8 MM
2018	$95 MM	$8 MM
2017	$90 MM	$8 MM
2016	$90 MM	$8 MM
2015	$90 MM	$18 MM
2014	$81 MM	$10 MM
2012	$90 MM	$17 MM
2011	$94 MM	$19 MM
2010	$90 MM	$18 MM
2009	$93 MM	$19 MM
2008	$84 MM	$18 MM
2007	$77 MM	$18 MM
2006	$73 MM	$15 MM
2005	$69 MM	$15 MM
2004	$63 MM	$17 MM
2003	$61 MM	$17 MM
2002	$62 MM	$16 MM
2001	$60 MM	$17 MM
2000	$57 MM	$20 MM
1999	$55 MM	$23 MM
1998	$56 MM	$26 MM
1997	$44 MM	$34 MM
1996	$41 MM	$34 MM
1995	$41 MM	$32 MM
1992	$34 MM	$23 MM
1990	$34 MM	$22 MM

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Spending

$128 MM

$21,575 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$128 MM	$10 MM
2022	$116 MM	$9 MM
2021	$99 MM	$8 MM
2020	$105 MM	$8 MM
2019	$98 MM	$7 MM
2018	$102 MM	$8 MM
2017	$95 MM	$9 MM
2016	$93 MM	$8 MM
2015	$85 MM	$18 MM
2014	$85 MM	$11 MM
2012	$94 MM	$16 MM
2011	$90 MM	$17 MM
2010	$85 MM	$18 MM
2009	$91 MM	$18 MM
2008	$80 MM	$17 MM
2007	$73 MM	$18 MM
2006	$70 MM	$15 MM
2005	$67 MM	$15 MM
2004	$60 MM	$16 MM
2003	$60 MM	$17 MM
2002	$57 MM	$15 MM
2001	$58 MM	$17 MM
2000	$55 MM	$20 MM
1999	$57 MM	$24 MM
1998	$69 MM	$26 MM
1997	$47 MM	$36 MM
1996	$40 MM	$33 MM
1995	$41 MM	$32 MM
1992	$33 MM	$23 MM
1990	$32 MM	$21 MM

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Revenue / Student

$13,904

$13,318

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$13,886	$13,656
2022	$15,504	$12,185
2021	$10,881	$10,282
2020	$10,388	$9,918
2019	$9,551	$9,125
2018	$9,373	$9,419
2017	$8,853	$10,522
2016	$8,782	$9,128
2015	$8,732	$10,864
2014	$8,169	$9,046
2012	$9,102	$10,562
2011	$9,567	$12,703
2010	$9,070	$10,864
2009	$9,430	$11,105
2008	$8,752	$11,767
2007	$8,032	$9,479
2006	$7,823	$9,335
2005	$7,480	$8,913
2004	$6,895	$8,734
2003	$6,774	$8,577
2002	$6,884	$8,130
2001	$6,783	$7,294
2000	$6,550	$7,636
1999	$6,255	$7,252
1998	$6,518	$5,688
1997	$5,130	$5,690
1995	$5,109	$5,545
1992	$4,362	$4,737
1990	$4,503	$4,663

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Spending / Student

$13,969

$13,934

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$13,950	$12,720
2022	$12,597	$11,976
2021	$10,479	$9,990
2020	$10,342	$9,654
2019	$9,754	$8,949
2018	$10,040	$9,637
2017	$9,299	$11,583
2016	$9,115	$9,753
2015	$8,293	$10,591
2014	$8,540	$9,388
2012	$9,437	$10,336
2011	$9,144	$11,927
2010	$8,614	$10,591
2009	$9,169	$10,880
2008	$8,359	$11,136
2007	$7,712	$9,418
2006	$7,480	$8,813
2005	$7,220	$8,647
2004	$6,521	$8,413
2003	$6,594	$8,886
2002	$6,338	$7,903
2001	$6,508	$7,301
2000	$6,341	$7,650
1999	$6,501	$7,340
1998	$8,046	$5,663
1997	$5,428	$6,040
1995	$5,029	$5,570
1992	$4,285	$4,725
1990	$4,228	$4,461

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Lee County Schools?

Lee County Schools manages 16 public schools serving 9,131 students.

What is the rank of Lee County Schools?

Lee County Schools is ranked #212 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Lee County Schools?

44% of Lee County Schools students are Hispanic, 30% of students are White, 20% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Lee County Schools?

Lee County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is equal to the North Carolina state average of 16:1.

What is Lee County Schools's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $13,969 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 16 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 9,131 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 69%
: 82% (Top 50% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 46% (Btm 50%)
: 42% (Btm 50%)
: 59% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education