For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 4,102 students in Lee County, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in Lee County, 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.
Lee County, 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 Lee County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Lee County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 84%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Lee Early College, with ≥95% 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 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Lee County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 230 students
Rank: #22.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,185 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: 6-12
| 599 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,469 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: PK-12
| 115 students
Rank: #66.
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
Grades: 6-12
| 54 students
Rank: n/an/a
Central Carolina Academy
Charter School
1801 Douglas Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Grades: 6-11
| 450 students
Lee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Provisions Academy (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
806 Vance Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7800
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7800
Grades: 6-12
| 92 students
Warren Williams Elementary Alternative (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
901 Lawrence St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3529
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3529
Grades: PK-5
| 60 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Lee County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Lee County, NC include Lee Early College, Southern Lee High School and Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County.
How many public high schools are located in Lee County?
7 public high schools are located in Lee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County 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 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Lee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Lee County include: Southern Lee High School vs. Lee County High School, Lee County High School vs. Southern Lee High School, Lee Early College vs. Lee County High School
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