SANFORD, NC – The North Carolina State Board of Education released the 2025 School Performance Grades today, and while the results show that continued improvement is needed, Lee County Schools is celebrating a number of important achievements.
For the first time in five years, West Lee Middle School is no longer classified as a low-performing school - a milestone that highlights just how far the school has come. On the 100-point scale, West Lee’s growth score climbed from a 52 to a 95, and its overall performance grade increased by 17 points in a single year. This is also the first time West Lee has exceeded growth since 2016 and represents the highest growth the school has achieved since the state adopted this model ten years ago.
“We are incredibly proud of the work happening at West Lee, under the leadership of principal Aimee Petrarca” said Dr. Chris Dossenbach, Superintendent of Lee County Schools. “This kind of progress shows what is possible when leaders, educators, students, and families come together with urgency and purpose.”
Across the district, schools at every level demonstrated growth worth celebrating. Deep River Elementary continued its tradition of excellence by posting the highest growth of any elementary school. Broadway Elementary not only improved its growth conversion score by 14 points but also raised its overall performance grade by nine points. J.R. Ingram Elementary sustained a positive trend with measurable gains in student growth, and Tramway Elementary earned a B grade for the third consecutive year, reflecting steady, reliable performance.
At the secondary level, SanLee Middle School exceeded growth expectations for the second consecutive year while also raising its overall performance grade. Lee Early College continues to set the standard, earning an A grade for the eighth consecutive year. While Bragg Street Academy does not receive a formal grade because it is an alternative school, it is extremely notable that the school recorded a dramatic 29-point increase in overall performance.
Dr. Dossenbach emphasized that these results reflect the dedication of the entire school community. “Anytime you see meaningful improvement, it is because a team of people came together with a shared focus,” he said. “From the teachers in our classrooms, to the bus drivers who get students to school safely, to the cafeteria staff who keep students nourished - every role matters. Families, community partners, and our Board of Education are also essential to creating an environment where students can thrive. This is truly a collective effort.”
At the same time, the district also acknowledged that five schools are classified as low-performing under the current grading formula: Broadway Elementary, W.B. Wicker Elementary, East Lee Middle School, Lee County High School, and Southern Lee High School. However, both Broadway and W.B. Wicker met expected student growth, and Broadway recorded a nine-point improvement in its overall grade.
“These classifications can sometimes be misleading,” Dossenbach noted. “The current school grading system is closely tied to poverty, often penalizing schools that serve more low-income students. While we will never use this as an excuse, we want our families to know that a letter grade does not define the worth of a child, a teacher or a community. What matters most is the progress our schools are making, and we are proud of the gains we see across the district.”
Dossenbach added that the district is not ignoring the areas of concern. “We have carefully analyzed this data to identify our weaknesses, and we have already met with each principal to review their school’s results. We are putting plans into action now to address these challenges head-on. While we celebrate the progress, we are equally committed to tackling our shortcomings and ensuring that every student in Lee County Schools has the opportunity to succeed.”
These efforts align with the district’s five-year strategic plan, Thrive in Lee, which emphasizes accountability, growth, safety, respect, and resilience as the foundation for long-term student success.