For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 12,184 students in Sanford, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,280 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Sanford, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Sanford, NC are Lee Early College, Tramway Elementary School and Benhaven Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sanford, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Sanford have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Sanford, NC (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.
Tramway Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
360 Center Church Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0170
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0170
Grades: K-5
| 559 students
Rank: #33.
Benhaven Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
520 Olive Farm Dr
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 499-4811
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 499-4811
Grades: PK-5
| 1,031 students
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
Bt Bullock Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1410 Mcneill Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0160
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-0160
Grades: K-5
| 487 students
Rank: #66.
Deep River Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4000 Deep River Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-2722
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-2722
Grades: K-5
| 535 students
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
J Glenn Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3115 Cemetery Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 774-3733
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 774-3733
Grades: K-5
| 519 students
Rank: #99.
J R Ingram Jr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3309 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3772
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-3772
Grades: K-5
| 400 students
Rank: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1915 Buffalo Lake Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 499-2200
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 499-2200
Grades: K-5
| 894 students
Rank: #1414.
Wb Wicker Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
900 S Vance St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 897-5400
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 897-5400
Grades: K-5
| 576 students
Rank: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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
Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County Rca
Charter School
283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Grades: n/a
| n/a 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
Sanford, North Carolina 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 schools in Sanford, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Sanford, NC include Lee Early College, Tramway Elementary School and Benhaven Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Sanford?
21 public schools are located in Sanford.
What percentage of students in Sanford go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Sanford are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sanford?
Sanford public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Sanford are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Sanford include: Southern Lee High School vs. Lee County High School, East Lee Middle School vs. West Lee Middle School, Lee County High School vs. Southern Lee High School
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