FIVE TO ZERO: Historic academic turnaround for Lee County Schools

All 14 graded schools show improvement as district posts widespread academic gains!

Lee County Schools is celebrating one of the most significant academic milestones in district history following the release of the 2025-2026 North Carolina School Performance Grades: no district schools are designated as low-performing.

The achievement represents a remarkable turnaround. Lee County Schools had five schools designated as low-performing following the 2024-2025 school year. One year later, all five have exited that designation, bringing the district total from five to zero.

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Lee County Schools and something our entire community should celebrate,” said Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach. “It speaks to the tremendous work taking place throughout our district and, more importantly, reflects what can happen when an entire school system is focused on improving outcomes for students.”

The results also place Lee County Schools among a select group statewide. Lee County Schools is one of just 24 of North Carolina’s 115 school districts with no schools designated as low-performing for 2025-2026. It is also the only district in the Sandhills region with zero low-performing schools.

Sherry Womack, Chair of the Lee County Board of Education, said the achievement reflects the work of the entire school community and the district’s commitment to continued improvement.  “This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, educators, school leaders, families and staff across Lee County Schools,” Womack said. “The Board of Education and administration have worked together to establish clear priorities, strengthen accountability and make thoughtful decisions about how we use our resources to support student success. No Board or administration can produce results like these alone; the credit belongs to the people who turn our plans and priorities into action every day. This is an important milestone, but it is not the finish line. We must continue building on this progress and remain focused on even better outcomes for our students.”

Academic progress was widespread. All 14 of Lee County Schools’ graded schools showed improvement in their School Performance Score, academic growth measure, or both. Six schools improved enough to move up at least one full letter grade, and no school received an F.

Several schools posted significant year-over-year gains. In fact, half of the district’s graded schools increased their School Performance Score by at least five points in a single year. East Lee Middle School recorded the district’s largest increase, improving by 14 points, while also posting the highest academic growth score in the school’s history. Broadway Elementary and W.B. Wicker Elementary each increased by eight points, while Greenwood Elementary and Lee County High School each improved by seven points. Southern Lee High School and Lee Early College each improved by five points.

W.B. Wicker and Broadway both ranked among the top 10 percent of K-5 elementary schools statewide for student growth. W.B. Wicker posted the highest academic growth of any school in Lee County Schools, while Broadway continued a sustained upward trajectory, marking its third consecutive year of strong gains in overall school performance. West Lee Middle School also exceeded student growth expectations for the second consecutive year, reflecting continued academic progress.

Strong student growth was evident across the district as well. Eleven of Lee County Schools’ 14 graded schools met or exceeded expected academic growth, including six that exceeded growth expectations.

“We are incredibly proud to see these results reflect the hard work happening in our schools every day,” said Dr. Natalie Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. “Progress like this does not happen because of one person or one initiative. It takes teachers, staff, administrators, students and families working together with a shared commitment to helping every student thrive. These results validate that collective effort while also motivating us to continue the work ahead.”

“These results tell a much bigger story than any single letter grade,” Dossenbach said. “What makes me most proud is the people behind these numbers. Our teachers and staff have worked incredibly hard, our students have responded to high expectations, and our schools have remained focused on getting better. When every graded school in the district shows improvement in performance, growth or both, that is a reflection of their commitment and something our entire community should be proud of.”

North Carolina School Performance Grades are based on a combination of student achievement and academic growth. Under the state’s accountability system, a school receiving a D or F is designated low-performing when it does not exceed expected growth.

Dossenbach credited the district’s improvement to a greater focus on instructional quality, consistent expectations, regular analysis of student performance data and a willingness to evaluate whether programs, practices and resources are producing meaningful results for students. He also recognized the Lee County Board of Education for its continued support of the district’s academic priorities, advocacy for greater local school calendar flexibility and commitment to increased accountability.

The district also continued to demonstrate strong outcomes at the high school level, posting a 2025-2026 graduation rate of 89.2 percent, exceeding the statewide rate of 88.8 percent. Together, these results align with Thrive in Lee, the district’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, and its focus on high expectations, effective instruction, responsible use of resources and continuous improvement.

“I could not be more proud of our students and employees,” Dossenbach said. “These results represent countless hours of hard work, belief in our students and a shared commitment to getting better every day. What we have accomplished together is special, and I hope every person who has poured into Lee County Schools takes a moment to feel proud of the role they played. This achievement shows what is possible when we believe in our students, believe in one another and stay focused on the work that matters most.”

Sept. 2, 2026

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