Below Average
#2265 of 2,648 schools in NC
East Lee Middle
Middle School · Lee County Schools
1337 Broadway Rd, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,265 of 2,648
In Sanford
#16 of 19
public schools
In district
#13 of 16
Lee County Schools
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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East Lee Middle
Middle School in Sanford · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lee Early College
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About East Lee Middle
East Lee Middle is a public middle school in Sanford, NC, part of Lee County Schools. East Lee Middle serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. East Lee Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,265 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for East Lee Middle show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at East Lee Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
East Lee Middle — Students at East Lee Middle score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How East Lee Middle Compares
See how East Lee Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1337 Broadway Rd, Sanford, NC 27330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Lee Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SanLee Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Lee Middle (rated 3.8/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 3.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 3.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 3.5 mi | 4.7 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 4.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 4.4 mi | 4.9 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 4.5 mi | 6.4 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 5.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 5.4 mi | — |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 5.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 6.8 mi | 8.4 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 6.6 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,726
Median Home Value
$213,000
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
41,473
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bunn Middle Bunn, NC | 4.3 |
| China Grove Middle China Grove, NC | 4.3 |
| North Stanly Middle New London, NC | 4.3 |
| Reidsville Middle Reidsville, NC | 4.3 |
| South Stanly Middle Norwood, NC | 4.3 |
| G. C. Hawley Middle Creedmoor, NC | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Lee Middle
What grades does East Lee Middle serve?
East Lee Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend East Lee Middle?
East Lee Middle has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Lee Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at East Lee Middle is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Lee Middle rank in NC?
East Lee Middle ranks #2,265 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Lee Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
East Lee Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at East Lee Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, East Lee Middle has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is East Lee Middle a charter school?
No, East Lee Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Lee Middle a Title I school?
No, East Lee Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Lee Middle?
75.9% of students at East Lee Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.9%
- Phone
- (919) 776-8441
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,051
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,241
- District Rank
- #13 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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