For the 2026-27 school year, there are 4 public charter schools serving 1,476 students in Lee County, NC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Lee County, NC are Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County and Rising Leaders Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in Lee County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public charter school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Charter Schools in Lee County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Rising Leaders Academy
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 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Ascend Leadership Remote Academy
Charter School
283 Harvey Faulk Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
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
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Gr: 6-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
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 charter schools in Lee County, NC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Lee County, NC include Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County and Rising Leaders Academy.
How many public charter schools are located in Lee County?
4 public charter schools are located in Lee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County public charter schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 54% (majority Black).
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