For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public middle schools serving 4,210 students in Sanford, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Sanford, NC are Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County, Sanlee Middle School and Highland Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sanford, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Sanford have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Sanford, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
283 Harvey Faulk Road
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Gr: 6-12 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Sanlee Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2309 Tramway Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 708-7227
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 708-7227
Gr: 6-8 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
Highland Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
345 Highland School Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 498-3331
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 498-3331
Gr: 6-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #44.
West Lee Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3301 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7351
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-7351
Gr: 6-8 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #55.
East Lee Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1337 Broadway Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-8441
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-8441
Gr: 6-8 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #66.
Rising Leaders Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2732 Industrial Drive
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 745-1442
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 745-1442
Gr: K-8 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #77.
Floyd L Knight Children Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
607 W Mcintosh St
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 774-4634
Gr: PK-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #88.
Bragg Street Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
504 Bragg Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Gr: 6-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: n/an/a
Ascend Leadership Remote Academy
Charter School
283 Harvey Faulk Rd
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 842-5411
Gr: 6-8 | 27 students Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Central Carolina Academy
Charter School
1801 Douglas Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Sanford, NC 27330
(984) 977-9455
Gr: 6-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Sanford, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Sanford, NC include Ascend Leadership Academy Lee County, Sanlee Middle School and Highland Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Sanford?
10 public middle schools are located in Sanford.
What is the racial composition of students in Sanford?
Sanford public middle schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Sanford are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Sanford include: East Lee Middle School vs. West Lee Middle School, Sanlee Middle School vs. West Lee Middle School, West Lee Middle School vs. East Lee Middle School
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