Average
#1929 of 2,648 schools in NC
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County
High School · Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County
283 Harvey Faulk Road, Sanford, NC 27332
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#14 of 19
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#275 of 579
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County is a charter high school located in Sanford, North Carolina. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 599 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.6 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as the 1327th best school out of 2661 in North Carolina.
Academically, Ascend Leadership Academy has an overall score of 6.4/10, with 56% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA and reading, and 48% achieving the same in math. While there is room for academic growth, Ascend Leadership Academy focuses on student development through a variety of programs designed to support its diverse student body. Situated in a town setting, the school benefits from a close-knit community that contributes to a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County — Students at Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.
How Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Compares
See how Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 45% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 71.6% (2025).
Location
283 Harvey Faulk Road, Sanford, NC 27332
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lee Early College (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bragg Street Academy (rated 5.7/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lee County High (rated 4.9/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 4.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 5.0 mi | 9.1 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 6.0 mi | 6.7 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 5.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 5.9 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 5.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 5.7 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,075
Median Home Value
$224,000
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
34,378
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
74.7%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County has a median household income of $73,075. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,000, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ashe County High West Jefferson, NC | 5.4 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson, NC | 5.4 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson, NC | 5.4 |
| Kinston High Kinston, NC | 5.4 |
| Lakewood High Salemburg, NC | 5.4 |
| Reidsville High Reidsville, NC | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County
What grades does Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County serve?
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County?
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County has an enrollment of approximately 599 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County?
The student-teacher ratio at Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County rank in NC?
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County is ranked #1929 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County's MySchoolScout rating?
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County has 46.4% math proficiency and 58.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County a charter school?
Yes, Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County a Title I school?
No, Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (358/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 599
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (919) 842-5411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County- District Enrollment
- 599
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,991
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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