Item: Lee County Schools
Rating: 4
Author: �鶹������ý

Home > North Carolina > Lee County

Lee County Schools

106 Gordon St
Sanford, NC 27330

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (919) 774-6226

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Lee County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category

Attribute

Community Size

Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 3,053 students in Lee County Schools. This district's average high is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.

Public High Schools in Lee County Schools have an score of 45% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and score of 45% (versus the 58% statewide average).

Public High School in Lee County School have a of 83%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Lee Early College, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

16 Schools

758 Schools

# Students

9,018 Students

565,236 Students

# Teachers

639 Teachers

33,421 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	68	1
Kind	2	20
1	4	20
2	2	20
3	3	20
5	2	22
6	5	32
7	12	34
8	10	35
9	734	392
10	844	359
11	781	334
12	586	297

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="district-rank">District Rank

Lee County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#212 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Lee County Schools
2023	#212
2022	#212
2021	#223
2019	#191
2018	#159
2017	#183
2016	#167
2015	#173
2014	#153
2013	#122
2012	#134

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(21-22)

46%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	46%	51%
2021	31%	42%
2019	37%	42%
2018	39%	48%
2017	43%	47%
2016	44%	47%
2015	39%	44%
2014	39%	43%
2013	40%	42%
2012	82%	82%
2011	84%	82%

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42%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	42%	50%
2021	39%	47%
2019	39%	46%
2018	39%	47%
2017	41%	46%
2016	40%	47%
2015	38%	46%
2014	38%	46%
2013	41%	45%
2012	69%	73%
2011	67%	70%

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59%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	59%	63%
2021	51%	61%

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(21-22)

88%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	88%	86%
2021	87%	85%
2020	87%	86%
2019	88%	85%
2018	89%	86%
2017	90%	88%
2016	89%	88%
2015	89%	87%
2014	88%	86%
2013	86%	85%
2012	84%	83%

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:

0.68

0.70

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.68	0.71
2022	0.69	0.70
2021	0.69	0.69
2020	0.69	0.68
2019	0.69	0.68
2018	0.68	0.67
2017	0.68	0.67
2016	0.68	0.66
2015	0.67	0.66
2014	0.68	0.65
2013	0.68	0.65
2012	0.68	0.64
2011	0.67	0.64
2010	0.66	0.61
2009	0.66	0.61
2008	0.65	0.61
2007	0.65	0.60
2006	0.64	0.58
2005	0.63	0.58
2004	0.62	0.57
2003	0.62	0.56
2002	0.61	0.55
2001	0.60	0.53
2000	0.58	0.53
1999	0.57	0.52
1998	0.56	0.52
1997	0.54	0.50
1996	0.53	0.50
1995	0.50	0.49
1994	0.49	0.48
1993	0.48	0.48
1992	0.47	0.48
1991	0.46	0.48

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2006-2020)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	2%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	1%	2%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1997-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	2%
2008	2%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	2%	2%
1997	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

43%

20%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	41%	20%
2022	40%	20%
2021	38%	19%
2020	37%	18%
2019	37%	18%
2018	35%	17%
2017	35%	17%
2016	35%	16%
2015	34%	16%
2014	32%	15%
2013	32%	14%
2012	31%	13%
2011	30%	13%
2010	27%	11%
2009	26%	11%
2008	26%	11%
2007	25%	10%
2006	23%	8%
2005	21%	8%
2004	20%	7%
2003	19%	6%
2002	17%	5%
2001	15%	4%
2000	14%	4%
1999	12%	3%
1998	10%	3%
1997	9%	2%
1996	8%	2%
1995	5%	2%
1994	4%	1%
1993	4%	1%

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% Black

20%

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	20%	25%
2022	20%	25%
2021	20%	25%
2020	21%	25%
2019	21%	25%
2018	21%	26%
2017	21%	26%
2016	22%	26%
2015	21%	26%
2014	21%	26%
2013	21%	26%
2012	22%	26%
2011	21%	26%
2010	27%	31%
2009	27%	31%
2008	23%	29%
2007	24%	29%
2006	27%	32%
2005	27%	31%
2004	27%	31%
2003	27%	31%
2002	28%	31%
2001	28%	31%
2000	28%	31%
1999	29%	31%
1998	29%	30%
1997	30%	31%
1996	30%	31%
1995	31%	30%
1994	31%	30%
1993	31%	30%
1992	31%	30%
1991	31%	30%

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% White

32%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	33%	44%
2022	35%	45%
2021	36%	46%
2020	37%	48%
2019	37%	48%
2018	40%	49%
2017	40%	49%
2016	40%	50%
2015	42%	50%
2014	42%	51%
2013	43%	52%
2012	43%	53%
2011	45%	53%
2010	44%	54%
2009	45%	54%
2008	47%	55%
2007	48%	56%
2006	48%	56%
2005	50%	57%
2004	52%	58%
2003	52%	59%
2002	54%	60%
2001	56%	61%
2000	57%	61%
1999	58%	62%
1998	59%	63%
1997	60%	64%
1996	62%	64%
1995	64%	65%
1994	65%	66%
1993	65%	66%
1992	66%	66%
1991	67%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	5%	6%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	3%	4%
2017	3%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	3%	4%
2013	2%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="district-revenue-and-spending">District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,441 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $11,018 is less than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$103 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$103 MM	$8 MM
2022	$105 MM	$8 MM
2021	$103 MM	$8 MM
2020	$105 MM	$8 MM
2019	$96 MM	$8 MM
2018	$95 MM	$8 MM
2017	$90 MM	$8 MM
2016	$90 MM	$8 MM
2015	$90 MM	$18 MM
2014	$81 MM	$10 MM
2012	$90 MM	$17 MM
2011	$94 MM	$19 MM
2010	$90 MM	$18 MM
2009	$93 MM	$19 MM
2008	$84 MM	$18 MM
2007	$77 MM	$18 MM
2006	$73 MM	$15 MM
2005	$69 MM	$15 MM
2004	$63 MM	$17 MM
2003	$61 MM	$17 MM
2002	$62 MM	$16 MM
2001	$60 MM	$17 MM
2000	$57 MM	$20 MM
1999	$55 MM	$23 MM
1998	$56 MM	$26 MM
1997	$44 MM	$34 MM
1996	$41 MM	$34 MM
1995	$41 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$99 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$99 MM	$8 MM
2022	$105 MM	$8 MM
2021	$99 MM	$8 MM
2020	$105 MM	$8 MM
2019	$98 MM	$7 MM
2018	$102 MM	$8 MM
2017	$95 MM	$9 MM
2016	$93 MM	$8 MM
2015	$85 MM	$18 MM
2014	$85 MM	$11 MM
2012	$94 MM	$16 MM
2011	$90 MM	$17 MM
2010	$85 MM	$18 MM
2009	$91 MM	$18 MM
2008	$80 MM	$17 MM
2007	$73 MM	$18 MM
2006	$70 MM	$15 MM
2005	$67 MM	$15 MM
2004	$60 MM	$16 MM
2003	$60 MM	$17 MM
2002	$57 MM	$15 MM
2001	$58 MM	$17 MM
2000	$55 MM	$20 MM
1999	$57 MM	$24 MM
1998	$69 MM	$26 MM
1997	$47 MM	$36 MM
1996	$40 MM	$33 MM
1995	$41 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$11,441

$11,192

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,313	$10,093
2022	$10,388	$9,918
2021	$10,881	$10,282
2020	$10,388	$9,918
2019	$9,551	$9,125
2018	$9,373	$9,419
2017	$8,853	$10,522
2016	$8,782	$9,128
2015	$8,732	$10,864
2014	$8,169	$9,046
2012	$9,102	$10,562
2011	$9,567	$12,703
2010	$9,070	$10,864
2009	$9,430	$11,105
2008	$8,752	$11,767
2007	$8,032	$9,479
2006	$7,823	$9,335
2005	$7,480	$8,913
2004	$6,895	$8,734
2003	$6,774	$8,577
2002	$6,884	$8,130
2001	$6,783	$7,294
2000	$6,550	$7,636
1999	$6,255	$7,252
1998	$6,518	$5,688
1997	$5,130	$5,690
1995	$5,109	$5,545
1992	$4,362	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$11,018

$11,617

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Lee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$10,895	$9,807
2022	$10,342	$9,654
2021	$10,479	$9,990
2020	$10,342	$9,654
2019	$9,754	$8,949
2018	$10,040	$9,637
2017	$9,299	$11,583
2016	$9,115	$9,753
2015	$8,293	$10,591
2014	$8,540	$9,388
2012	$9,437	$10,336
2011	$9,144	$11,927
2010	$8,614	$10,591
2009	$9,169	$10,880
2008	$8,359	$11,136
2007	$7,712	$9,418
2006	$7,480	$8,813
2005	$7,220	$8,647
2004	$6,521	$8,413
2003	$6,594	$8,886
2002	$6,338	$7,903
2001	$6,508	$7,301
2000	$6,341	$7,650
1999	$6,501	$7,340
1998	$8,046	$5,663
1997	$5,428	$6,040
1995	$5,029	$5,570
1992	$4,285	$4,725

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Best Lee County Schools Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Lee Early College

(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
:

10/

Top 1%

Add to Compare

1105 Kelly Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 888-4502

Gr: 9-13 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%

Rank: #22.

Southern Lee High School

(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 47%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

2301 Tramway Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 718-2400

Gr: 9-12 | 1,185 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Rank: #33.

Lee County High School

(Math: 41% | Reading: 42%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1708 Nash Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-7541

Gr: 9-12 | 1,469 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%

Rank: #44.

Floyd L Knight Children Center

Special Education School

(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

607 W Mcintosh St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634

Gr: PK-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 51%

Rank: #55.

Bragg Street Academy

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

504 Bragg Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686

Gr: 6-12 | 54 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 82%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 16 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 9,018 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 68%
: 88% (Top 50% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 46% (Btm 50%)
: 42% (Btm 50%)
: 59% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education