Lee County Education: Which school had most students enrolled in 2023-24 school year?

Lee County High School had the highest enrollment among Lee County schools, welcoming 1,425 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Among the 16 schools in Lee County, Southern Lee High School ranked second in enrollment numbers with 1,150 students, while SanLee Middle School welcomed 798 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Lee County High School is part of Lee County Schools district, which roughly covers institutions within Lee County and has a main office in Sanford.

In the previous school year, Lee County High School also had the highest number of students among Lee County schools.

Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).

Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.