Average
#1142 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 43% in state
Lee Early College
High School · Lee County Schools
1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
263
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#9 of 19
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#93 of 579
In district
#8 of 16
Lee County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Lee Early College
Lee Early College serves 263 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Sanford, North Carolina, offering a unique educational pathway that bridges high school and college coursework. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1, allowing for meaningful academic support as students navigate both traditional high school requirements and college-level studies. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #229 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile.
Students show remarkable proficiency in core subjects, with 88% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an outstanding 98% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's rigorous academic environment and the caliber of students drawn to this early college model. Located on Kelly Drive in Lee County, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $58,279 and 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The early college structure provides students with an accelerated path to higher education, making it an attractive option for motivated learners seeking to jumpstart their college careers while completing high school in this close-knit town setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Lee Early College is 21.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Lee Early College — Students at Lee Early College score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 6 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: 6.1/10.
How Lee Early College Compares
See how Lee Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 95.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 88.2% (2025).
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. Bragg Street Academy (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County (rated 5.4/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lee County High (rated 4.9/10, 0.3 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 | 4.9 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 5.2 mi | 9.1 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 5.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 5.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 6.4 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 Lee Early College 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 |
|---|---|
| Reid Ross Classical High Fayetteville, NC | 6.8 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury, NC | 6.8 |
| Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville, NC | 6.7 |
| Hertford Co Early College Ahoskie, NC | 6.7 |
| Onslow Early College Jacksonville, NC | 6.7 |
| ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1142 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Lee Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Lee Early College has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lee Early College has 92.5% math proficiency and 86.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (358/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- 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
- #8 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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