LEE EARLY COLLEGE

Lee Early College is a Title I public high school that is part of the Lee County Schools school district, located in Sanford, NC with about 296 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 13th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 12 teachers, Lee Early College has a student/teacher ratio of about 24:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Lee Early College (LEC), located in Sanford, North Carolina, is a specialized public high school operating through a collaborative partnership between Lee County Schools and Central Carolina Community College. Designed to bridge the gap between high school and higher education, the school offers a rigorous academic environment where students have the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously. This unique "early college" model is intended to streamline the path to a post-secondary degree, effectively saving students time and money while preparing them for future career or university success.

The school emphasizes a supportive and college-focused culture, catering to students who are often high-achieving, first-generation college students, or those who simply benefit from a non-traditional, smaller learning environment. By integrating college courses into their high school curriculum, students at Lee Early College are immersed in a mature academic setting that fosters independence, critical thinking, and time management. Because the program is housed in close proximity to or in coordination with community college resources, students benefit from a seamless transition into higher education, positioning them for a significant head start in their professional or academic journeys.

For more information, contact Lee Early College at (919) 888-4502 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.