Below Average
#2046 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southern Lee High School
High School · Lee County Schools
2301 Tramway Road, Sanford, NC 27332
Enrollment
1,185
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,185
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,046 of 2,648
In Sanford
#15 of 19
public schools
In district
#11 of 16
Lee County Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Southern Lee High School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Southern Lee High School
High School in Sanford · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sanlee Middle School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lee Christian School
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern Lee High School
Southern Lee High School is a public high school in Sanford, NC, part of Lee County Schools. Southern Lee High School serves approximately 1,185 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Lee High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,046 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Southern Lee High School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.7
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Lee High School — Students at Southern Lee High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.4%
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
↓ 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: 4.0/10.
How Southern Lee High School Compares
See how Southern Lee High School 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
2301 Tramway Road, Sanford, NC 27332
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Lee High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lee Early College (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee County High (rated 5.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County (rated 5.7/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| West Lee Middle Sanford | 2.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 3.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 3.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 3.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 4.3 mi | — |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 4.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 7.6 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,075
Median Home Value
$224,000
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
34,378
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
74.7%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
40
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem, NC | 4.9 |
| Seaforth High Pittsboro, NC | 4.9 |
| Southern Guilford High Greensboro, NC | 4.9 |
| Triton High Erwin, NC | 4.9 |
| Charles B Aycock High Pikeville, NC | 5.0 |
| New Bern High New Bern, NC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Lee High School
What grades does Southern Lee High School serve?
Southern Lee High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southern Lee High School?
Southern Lee High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,185 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Lee High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Lee High School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Lee High School rank in NC?
Southern Lee High School ranks #2,046 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southern Lee High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Lee High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Southern Lee High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Lee High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Southern Lee High School a charter school?
No, Southern Lee High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Lee High School a Title I school?
No, Southern Lee High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Lee High School?
63.4% of students at Southern Lee High School 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 – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,185
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.9%
- Phone
- (919) 718-2400
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90.0%
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,051
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,241
- District Rank
- #11 of 16
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.