From Lee County Schools
Last year, Lee County Schools had five “low performing” schools, according to the School Performance Grades issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This year it has none.
The district announced the grades Wednesday in a press release, calling the turnaround “one of the most significant academic milestones in district history.”
“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.”
Lee County Schools is one of just 24 districts across the state – out of 115 overall – with no schools designated as low performing.
Additionally, all 14 of LCS’ 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. Half of the district’s graded schools increased their School Performance Score by at least five points.
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. 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 the district’s graded schools met or exceeded expected academic growth, including six that exceeded growth expectations.
“This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, educators, school leaders, families and staff across Lee County Schools,” said Sherry Womack, chair of the Lee County Board of Education. “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.
“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.”
Dear Lord, that means more of that “Thrive in Lee” crap. Every educator in Lee County is counting down the days this 5 year plan is over.
Lee County parents should look at the WRAL web site. There is a link that reveals each school’s score. Compare the scores for each school. Yes, there are improvements and be thankful for that.
However, the scores are still low…especially in Reading. The scores are markedly lower at the higher grade levels.
With so many white middle and upper middle class kids in the local private Christian schools the result is a distortion of reality.
The County population is 56% white, 22% hispanic, 17% black, 4% mixed, and 1% asian. The public schools of Lee County has that same mix as 31% white, 44% hispanic, 20% black, 5% mixed, and 1% asian. That twice the amount of hispanic kids as the normal population and one third less white kids as the normal population.
Reading and test scores in NC are generally a function of the parents socioeconomic status combined with the number of active parents in the home. It would take a great deal of research and statistical work to tease it all out. But as far as markedly lower at higher grades, it’s a function of the home environment. A teacher and a system can only do so much if the parents are not on board or don’t speak and read English fluently.
Several good reasons to consider home schooling as all these excuses were paid for.
All while embezzling close to 250k from employees.
“All while embezzling close to 250k from taxpayers”. There, fixed it for ya….Just Saying.
My statement was correct. The employees embezzled it.
Nope, if that was what you meant, should been “By employees” not “from”. Add you to the Lee Co Public school system statistics…. just saying.