Lee County Schools -

OPPORTUNITY MATTERS. Angel Rivera, a Class of 2025 graduate of Lee Early College—part of Lee County Schools and one of North Carolina’s top-performing high schools—has shown what’s possible when dedication meets opportunity. Angel’s hard work, combined with the rigorous and enriching environment of our local public schools, has earned him a full academic scholarship to Columbia University, a prestigious Ivy League institution in New York City. Through Lee County Schools, Angel: Earned college credit while in high school Mastered three languages—English, Spanish, and French Is actively learning Arabic and studied American Sign Language through our partnership with Central Carolina Community College In his graduation speech, Angel shared how difficult it was to find a sense of “home” as part of an immigrant family—but that the community of Sanford and Lee County Schools gave him just that: A safe place to grow, explore his passions, and prepare for a future he once never thought possible. Because opportunity changes everything. Every student has a story. Every student matters. Every student is welcome in our local public schools. Every student. Come join Lee County Schools—where your child will thrive in a nurturing, challenging, and supportive environment, preparing them for the world ahead. 📚 Enroll today: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/o/lcs/page/enrollment #EveryStudent #vOUCHersHurt #LCSthrive

QUALITY MATTERS.

North Carolina has spent nearly $500 MILLION this year on private school tuition vouchers. Yet only 7.2% of the schools receiving these public funds use a curriculum aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS).

The NCSCOS ensures that students develop essential skills—critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and adaptability—while achieving deep understanding in core subjects. These rigorous standards are the foundation of a high-quality public education.

When taxpayer dollars are diverted to schools that are not required to meet these standards, students lose and communities fall behind.

Public dollars should come with public accountability.

#vOUCHersHurt #ChampionOurLocalPublicSchools

Every child deserves a quality education. Our local public schools are open to EVERY student—regardless of race, religion, creed, ability, class, or status.

While many private schools—and even public charters—deny entry or services to students with exceptional physical, mental, or emotional needs, our public schools welcome and serve them all. We don’t turn families away. Instead, we step up.

What many may not know is that public school teachers are often the very ones providing special education services inside private schools. And when private or charter schools determine they can’t—or won’t—meet the needs of students with disabilities, they often refer those students to local public schools, acknowledging that we are better equipped to provide the support and services required.

When public tax dollars are diverted to institutions that can choose who they serve, we not only lose funding—we lose the opportunity to support and uplift every child. And we miss out on the gifts and contributions that these students bring to our community.

Public schools serve ALL students. And that’s what makes them worth protecting.
#vOUCHersHurt #ChampionOurLocalPublicSchools #EveryChildEveryDay

In observance of the Fourth of July Holiday, all district offices and campuses will be closed on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025.

We will reopen on Monday, July 7th at 8:00 a.m.

Local public schools have been delivering high-quality, efficient education to students of all backgrounds for generations. But since the expansion of the private school voucher system, private schools across North Carolina have increased their tuition by more than 15% on average—despite receiving more taxpayer dollars than ever before. Meanwhile, public support for our neighborhood schools remains strong. A May 2024 study found that 74% of North Carolina voters believe funding for local public schools should be increased. Our public dollars should strengthen the schools that serve every child. #vOUCHersHurt #ChampionOurLocalPublicSchools Sources: Public Schools First NC - NC’s Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers & Private School Tuition Increases; NC Statewide Education Survey, New Bridge Strategy, May 2024

Supporting our local public schools is essential to the success of our entire community.

But did you know that since the income cap on the state’s private school voucher program was lifted, private schools in Lee County have received 67% more in taxpayer-funded vouchers?
Since 2014, private schools in Lee County have received $19,089,647 in public dollars—including $7.3 million last year alone.

Meanwhile, our local public schools serve all students, offering opportunities to earn early college credits, complete career or technical training, and pursue advanced certifications—regardless of a student’s background or income. These programs help prepare students to become self-sufficient, well-rounded members of society.

Redirecting public funds to private schools undermines the broad range of programs and services our public schools do provide.

Let’s invest in schools that serve everyone.

#vOUCHersHurt #PublicSchoolsDoThePublicGood #ChampionOurLocalPublicSchools

Source: NCSEAA April 2025

LEARNING DOESN’T TAKE A BREAK. Even in the summer, LCS students are leveling up their learning! Earlier this month, cadets from Southern Lee High School’s Cavalier Battalion JROTC attended STEM Camp at South Carolina State University. These students were challenged both mentally and physically as they dove into hands-on courses in subjects like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Cyber Security—each led by SCSU faculty and staff. Read more here: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2291108 Programs like JROTC offer our students more than just classroom knowledge—they open doors to new passions, build leadership skills, and foster friendships that last a lifetime. We’re proud to support co- and extra-curricular experiences that keep students learning, growing, and thriving. #LCSthrive #JROTC #STEMeducation

🎓 Calling All Rising 9th Graders Headed to Southern Lee! Registration is now open for Freshman Orientation & the Class of 2029 Summer Bridge Program—your official launchpad into high school! 🗓 Date: July 31, 2025 🕣 Time: 8:30–11:30 AM 📍 Location: Southern Lee High School Come explore the campus, meet your future teachers and classmates, and get a head start on your high school journey. 🚀 ✅ Transportation available 🍽 Breakfast provided 📲 Registration is required – sign up now at: https://bit.ly/4l1eugx We can't wait to welcome the Class of 2029 to campus! #SouthernLee #ClassOf2029 #LCSthrive

UNLOCKING FUTURES | Project Liftoff 2025 Project Liftoff 2025 was a resounding success! Over the past two weeks, 29 at-promise students in Lee County Schools took part in an immersive experience focused on Unlocking Your Future. From exploring resilience and career pathways through CCCC to expressing identity through the visual arts, students gained valuable skills and insights to help prepare them for life beyond the classroom. Now in its second decade, Project Liftoff continues to be a cornerstone program, providing ongoing mentorship, quarterly benchmarks, and a special reward day for those who stay committed to their goals. The smiles at today’s closing celebration said it all—these students are confident, inspired, and ready to thrive. #LCSthrive

🚀 IMPACTFUL CAREERS Start Here! Join us this Thursday, June 26 at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center to explore exciting opportunities in Lee County Schools — with immediate openings and hands-on support to help you meet all job requirements! 📚 Interested in becoming a licensed teacher? Learn about salary, benefits, retirement, and support for new educators. Choose one of four session times: 🕗 8:00 AM | 11:30 AM | 3:30 PM | 6:00 PM 🚌 Want to become an Instructional Assistant or Bus Driver? We’ll walk you through qualifications, training, and how to earn your CDL. Sessions offered at: 🕘 9:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 6:30 PM Questions or need more info? Contact Dr. David Blackmon at 📧 dblackmon@lee.k12.nc.us 🔗 Come ready to take the next step in a career that makes a difference! #LCSthrive #NowHiring #TeachInLee

🎨 COMMITTED TO THE ARTS 🎭 Last week, middle school students from across the district took part in a powerful Art Workshop made possible through a partnership between the NC Museum of Art and the LCS Visual & Performing Arts Department. Throughout the week-long intensive, students explored stylized self-portraits across multiple mediums—from sculpted clay to acrylics and oils. These personal and creative works helped students reflect on their own identities and express the many layers of who they are through the lens of art. Learning to communicate through art is a lifelong skill, and we were blown away by the creativity and insight our students demonstrated in just one week! Lee County Schools remains a leader in Arts Education—continually surpassing statewide averages in providing access to comprehensive visual and performing arts programs. We believe these experiences are essential to shaping well-rounded students who are ready to contribute and thrive in their communities. #LCSthrive #ArtsEd Lee County Schools continues to lead in Arts Education, continually outperforming the state in providing students access to comprehensive arts education. We firmly believe these opportunities in the visual and performing arts are part of helping students become more well rounded, fully prepared to contribute and thrive in their community. #LCSthrive

This is a first for the Decades of Dedication series, but this time we spotlight a PAIR of long-time team teachers from J. Glenn Edwards Elementary, Abby Patterson and Dee O'Neal. These two fit hand in hand, so it is truly fitting that they wouldn't agree to be featured without the other! These two have been paired in a team teaching group at Edwards that has seen students excel in fifth grade, thanks to their highly effective methods in their specialty subjects. Patterson is incredibly gifted in helping students work through literacy challenges and grow in their language arts skills while science comes alive each day in O'Neal's classes. While it may be a bit of a longer article than we usually have in the Decades series, we hope you take some time to learn about these two gifted teachers and hear their highlights in their 20+ years. Read more here: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2276878 #LCSthrive

Thinking about a career in education? You may be closer than you think! Have you ever considered helping students build skills that last a lifetime? Whether you’re exploring a career change or just curious about the path to becoming an educator, we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you! Join us Thursday, June 26, 2025 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center for an Education Career Information Session designed to walk you through everything you need to know to launch a meaningful and rewarding career in teaching. 🔹 Session times: 8:00 AM | 11:30 AM | 3:30 PM | 6:00 PM 🔹 Learn about licensure, benefits, lateral entry, new teacher support, retirement options, and more. 🔹 Meet our team and get your questions answered in a welcoming and informative setting. Whether you're just getting started or ready to make the leap, this is your moment to explore a career that changes lives—including your own. For questions, contact Dr. David Blackmon at dblackmon@lee.k12.nc.us. Let us help you launch a career you’ll treasure—one that helps students thrive! #LCSthrive #FutureEducators #TeachNC

DECADES OF DEDICATION: Tonnette Wicker builds relationships and a rewarding career at SanLee Middle A collaborative math teacher that has blossomed using AVID Strategies and relationship building, Tonnette Wicker is a consistent force in math education at SanLee Middle School. When you are with Mrs. Wicker, you are never far from a smile (or a tasty bag of plain Lays Potato Chips!) and she will make sure you get the most out of your time in her classroom. Take a few minutes to hear from her on the life lessons she has learned and strives to teach. We are sure you'll glean a lesson or two from her classroom time of more than 17 years in Lee County Schools: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2267728 #LCSthrive #DecadesOfDedication

LEVELING UP INSTRUCTION. LEVELING UP FUTURES. 🎉 BIG News! West Lee and SanLee Middle Schools have been selected as two of only 15 schools across North Carolina to participate in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative—a $25 million statewide effort to increase student success and career readiness. Through this incredible opportunity, the two schools will receive more than $2.1 million over the next five years to transform instruction and deliver high-quality, personalized education for our students. Read more here: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2264921 We’re honored to be part of this bold, innovative work to strengthen learning and expand opportunity in rural NC! #GoldenLEAFSchool #LCSthrive @ncpublicschools @NCgoldenLEAF @MarzanoResources

🌟 CREAM OF THE CROP 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Sandra Soto, ESL instructor at B.T. Bullock Elementary, has been selected as one of only two educators statewide to receive an Honorable Mention for NCDPI’s English Language Development Recognition Award! This prestigious award honors the top ESL teachers in North Carolina, and the Honorable Mention distinction places Mrs. Soto among the top three in the state this year. Even more exciting—this marks the second year in a row that a Lee County Schools ESL instructor has ranked in the top three statewide! We’re incredibly proud of Mrs. Soto’s dedication and are so happy to see her receive this well-deserved recognition. 🎉 #LCSthrive

IGNITING LEARNING 🔥 Learning doesn't stop over the summer—and in Lee County Schools, we're proud to offer a variety of engaging camps and programs that keep students growing, exploring, and having fun. One of our standout offerings is the annual Kaleidoscope & Periscope programs, hosted by our Academically & Intellectually Gifted (AIG) team. Designed for rising sixth graders and middle school AIG students, this beloved tradition has been sparking curiosity for nearly 40 years. This year’s theme? FIRE. Students are diving into all things fire—from science experiments on combustion to culinary creations like wood-fired pizza. They're exploring chemical reactions, learning fire safety, and even examining how heat transforms food at a molecular level. With hands-on science, visual and performing arts, and plenty of fun baked in (literally!), it’s a summer experience to remember. #LCSthrive

Lee County High School received a special honor from College for NC (CFNC) as they were designated a Financial Aid Champion for the school's growth and dedication to increasing student access and completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). LCHS saw a 95% increase in FAFSA completion this year, the largest of the 50 Large Rural High Schools recognized by CFNC. It truly was a team effort and you can learn more about the team behind that effort and how Lee County Schools is working every day to find unique and new ways to help students reach their goals by reading this story on our website: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2261462 #LCSthrive

DECADES OF DEDICATION: Misty Brown thrives by helping students succeed A 24-year veteran of LCS, Misty Brown began her career as an instructional assistant and joined a district program to further her education and transition to teaching. She currently lives her passion, helping students overcome reading challenges as Greenwood Elementary's Reading Interventionist. Every day, Brown's goal is to make someone smile while helping students meet their goals and succeed. Read more about Misty's journey here in Lee County Schools in this next installment of Decades of Dedication. https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2255733

READY TO LAUNCH. PREPARED TO THRIVE. LCS Class of 2025! The graduating class of our local public high schools have been offered more than $10.1 MILLION in scholarship grants and awards! We are so proud of the Class of 2025 and are confident that they are fully prepared to take off into bright futures, equipped to thrive as they pursue their dreams in higher education or in the workforce. Drop a 🎓 below to celebrate their achievements! #LCSthrive