For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 4,299 students in Lee County, NC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Lee County, NC are Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County, Sanlee Middle School and Highland Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Lee County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Lee County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 599 students
Rank: #22.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 791 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 803 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 583 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 477 students
Rank: #66.
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
Grades: K-8
| 427 students
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
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 middle schools in Lee County, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Lee County, NC include Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County, Sanlee Middle School and Highland Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Lee County?
9 public middle schools are located in Lee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County public middle schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Lee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Lee County include: East Lee Middle School vs. West Lee Middle School, Sanlee Middle School vs. West Lee Middle School, Bragg Street Academy vs. Floyd L Knight Children Center
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