Below Average
#2184 of 2,648 schools in NC
Lee County High
High School · Lee County Schools
1708 Nash Street, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
1,469
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,469
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#18 of 19
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#371 of 579
In district
#15 of 16
Lee County Schools
About Lee County High
Lee County High serves 1,469 students in grades 9-12 in Sanford, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7 to 1 across its 88 full-time equivalent teaching staff. This regular public high school ranks in the 28th percentile statewide, with current academic performance showing room for growth as students work toward proficiency goals. The school's test results indicate 36% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 38% in mathematics, suggesting focused attention on strengthening core academic foundations.
With nearly 1,500 students, Lee County High represents a substantial educational community where teachers and administrators can build meaningful relationships while working to enhance student achievement. Located on Nash Street in Sanford, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $58,279 and approximately 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of over 40,000 residents, with a median home value of $188,400.
Lee County High operates within this established town setting, providing educational opportunities for families throughout the Lee County area while working to support students from various socioeconomic backgrounds in their academic journey.
Score Breakdown
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Lee County High — Students at Lee County High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 2.4/10.
How Lee County High Compares
See how Lee County High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 13.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 36.1% (2025).
Location
1708 Nash Street, Sanford, NC 27330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lee County High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lee Early College (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bragg Street Academy (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County (rated 5.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Early College Sanford | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 3.1 mi | 3.8 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 3.1 mi | 7.5 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 3.5 mi | — |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 3.8 mi | 5.5 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 5.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 4.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 6.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 5.5 mi | 6.8 |
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 Lee County High 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 |
|---|---|
| D H Conley High Greenville, NC | 4.9 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton, NC | 4.9 |
| Junius H Rose High Greenville, NC | 4.9 |
| Lumberton Senior High Lumberton, NC | 4.9 |
| Southern Guilford High Greensboro, NC | 4.9 |
| Terry Sanford High Fayetteville, NC | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lee County High
What grades does Lee County High serve?
Lee County High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lee County High?
Lee County High has an enrollment of approximately 1,469 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lee County High?
The student-teacher ratio at Lee County High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lee County High rank in NC?
Lee County High is ranked #2184 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lee County High's MySchoolScout rating?
Lee County High 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 Lee County High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lee County High has 26.4% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lee County High a charter school?
No, Lee County High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lee County High a Title I school?
No, Lee County High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lee County High?
61.6% of students at Lee County High 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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,469
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 88
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (919) 776-7541
- 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
- #15 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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