Top 5 Best Lee County Public High Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 3,961 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 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Lee County (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lee Early College
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1105 Kelly Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 888-4502
Grades: 9-13
| 249 students
Rank: #22.
Southern Lee High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2301 Tramway Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 718-2400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,234 students
Rank: #33.
Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Grades: 6-12
| 547 students
Rank: #44.
Lee County High School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1708 Nash Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-7541
Grades: 9-12
| 1,508 students
Rank: #55.
Floyd L Knight Children Center
Special Education School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
607 W Mcintosh St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634
Grades: PK-12
| 105 students
Rank: #66.
Bragg Street Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
504 Bragg Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Grades: 6-12
| 46 students
Rank: n/an/a
Central Carolina Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
1801 Douglas Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Grades: 6-10
| 272 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Lee County, NC

Lee County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Provisions Academy (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
Charter School
806 Vance Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7800
Grades: 6-12
| 92 students
901 Lawrence St
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 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Lee County are often viewed compared to one another?

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