Needs Improvement
#2417 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
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,417 of 2,648
In Sanford
#19 of 19
public schools
In district
#16 of 16
Lee County Schools
Shortlisting around West Lee Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
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West Lee Middle
Middle School in Sanford · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
J R Ingram JR Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lee Christian School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West Lee Middle
West Lee Middle is a public middle school in Sanford, NC, part of Lee County Schools. West Lee Middle serves approximately 583 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. West Lee Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,417 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for West Lee Middle show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.8
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at West Lee Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Lee Middle — Students at West Lee Middle score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
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 36 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: 2.8/10.
How West Lee Middle Compares
See how West Lee Middle 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
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 6.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Lee Middle (rated 4.3/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.5 |
| LEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Carolina Academy Sanford | 2.1 mi | — |
| Tramway Elementary Sanford | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| WB Wicker Elementary Sanford | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| SanLee Middle School Sanford | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Southern Lee High School Sanford | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Floyd L Knight Children Center Sanford | 2.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Bragg Street Academy Sanford | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Lee County High Sanford | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Lee Early College Sanford | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford | 4.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs | 5.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 5.6 mi | 5.7 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 5.7 mi | 4.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ferndale Middle High Point, NC | 3.8 |
| Mendenhall Middle Greensboro, NC | 3.8 |
| Trinity Middle School Archdale, NC | 3.8 |
| Charles H Darden Middle Wilson, NC | 3.7 |
| Brogden Middle Dudley, NC | 3.9 |
| Eastway Middle Charlotte, NC | 3.9 |
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 ranks #2,417 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Lee Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
West Lee Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 West Lee Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Lee Middle has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.9%
- Phone
- (919) 775-7351
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,051
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,241
- District Rank
- #16 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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