Average
#1896 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Lee Middle
Middle School · Lee County Schools
3301 Wicker St, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#13 of 19
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#316 of 475
In district
#12 of 16
Lee County Schools
About West Lee Middle
West Lee Middle, a regular public middle school located in Sanford, North Carolina, serves students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 583 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. West Lee has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students succeed in their academic journey.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.9 out of 10 and it ranks 2075th among 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it at the 22nd percentile statewide. In terms of academic performance, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 35% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for growth and improvement in student achievement.
West Lee Middle is situated in a town setting within Lee County, offering a community feel to its educational environment. The school works hard to support the development of its students as they navigate their middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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West Lee Middle — Students at West Lee Middle score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70%
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
↑ 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: 6.3/10.
How West Lee Middle Compares
See how West Lee Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 39.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 45.2% (2025).
Location
3301 Wicker St, Sanford, NC 27330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Lee Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SanLee Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Lee Middle (rated 4.9/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| J R Ingram Jr Elementary Sanford | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 2.1 mi | — |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 2.2 mi | 9.1 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 2.9 mi | 3.8 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 3.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 3.8 mi | 4.9 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 4.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 5.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 5.6 mi | 5.4 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 5.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Deep River Elementary Sanford | 9.3 mi | 8.1 |
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 West 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 |
|---|---|
| Belmont Middle Belmont, NC | 5.5 |
| Brogden Middle Dudley, NC | 5.5 |
| Discovery Charter Durham, NC | 5.5 |
| Oak Grove Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 5.5 |
| Southern Guilford Middle Greensboro, NC | 5.5 |
| Anson Middle Wadesboro, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Lee Middle
What grades does West Lee Middle serve?
West Lee Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend West Lee Middle?
West Lee Middle has an enrollment of approximately 583 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Lee Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at West Lee Middle is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Lee Middle rank in NC?
West Lee Middle is ranked #1896 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Lee Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
West Lee Middle has a composite rating of 5.5 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 West Lee Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Lee Middle has 35.4% math proficiency and 42.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Lee Middle a charter school?
No, West Lee Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Lee Middle a Title I school?
No, West Lee Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Lee Middle?
70.0% of students at West 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
- 583
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (919) 775-7351
- 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
- #12 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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