Excellent
#322 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 12% in state
Lee Early College
High School · Lee County Schools
1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – UG
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#322 of 2,648
In Sanford
#2 of 19
public schools
In district
#3 of 16
Lee County Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Lee Early College?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Lee Early College
High School in Sanford · grades 9th – UG. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lee County High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bragg Street Academy
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lee Early College
Lee Early College is a public high school in Sanford, NC, part of Lee County Schools. Lee Early College serves approximately 263 students, and covers grades 9th-UG, and has a 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Lee Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #322 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Lee Early College show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 5.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Lee Early College runs 21.9:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Lee Early College — Students at Lee Early College score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 9.4/10.
How Lee Early College Compares
See how Lee Early College 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
1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, NC 27330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lee Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lee County High (rated 5.9/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County (rated 5.7/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Southern Lee High School (rated 4.9/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lee County High Sanford | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 3.4 mi | 4.9 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 3.4 mi | 6.4 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 3.6 mi | — |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 4.0 mi | 3.8 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 5.2 mi | 7.6 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 5.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 5.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 6.4 mi | 8.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson, NC | 8.2 |
| Johnston County Schools Career Technical Smithfield, NC | 8.2 |
| Northampton Early College Weldon, NC | 8.2 |
| Richmond Early College High Hamlet, NC | 8.2 |
| Union County Early College Monroe, NC | 8.2 |
| Brunswick County Early College Supply, NC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lee Early College
What grades does Lee Early College serve?
Lee Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Lee Early College?
Lee Early College has an enrollment of approximately 263 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lee Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Lee Early College is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lee Early College rank in NC?
Lee Early College ranks #322 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lee Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Lee Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Lee Early College?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lee Early College has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Lee Early College a charter school?
No, Lee Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lee Early College a Title I school?
No, Lee Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lee Early College?
55.1% of students at Lee Early College 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
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 263
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (919) 888-4502
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,051
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,241
- District Rank
- #3 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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