Below Average
#2183 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
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#17 of 19
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#376 of 475
In district
#14 of 16
Lee County Schools
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About East Lee Middle
East Lee Middle, a regular public school in Sanford, North Carolina, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 477 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. East Lee Middle has 35 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education.
The academic performance at East Lee Middle currently reflects areas with room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2326 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina. On standardized tests, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 33% meet proficiency standards in Math. East Lee Middle is situated in the heart of Sanford's town setting, offering a community atmosphere where teachers and staff work closely with families to support student development and growth.
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: 52%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How East Lee Middle Compares
See how East Lee Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 36% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 36% (2025).
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 7.5/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Lee Middle (rated 5.5/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.4 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 4.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 4.4 mi | 3.8 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 5.2 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 5.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 6.8 mi | 9.1 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 6.6 mi | 9.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding East Lee Middle has a median household income of $60,726. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,000, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton, NC | 4.9 |
| Northern Granville Middle Oxford, NC | 4.9 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby, NC | 4.9 |
| Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg, NC | 4.9 |
| West Craven Middle New Bern, NC | 4.9 |
| Eblen Intermediate Asheville, NC | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #2183 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Lee Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
East Lee Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 East Lee Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Lee Middle has 32.8% math proficiency and 36.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (358/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 776-8441
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,051
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,241
- District Rank
- #14 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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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