Skip to main content
Photo from Ascend Leadership Academy
SchoolSanford, NC

Ascend Leadership Academy

Grades and ages

Ages 11-18

Enrollment

599 students

Student-teacher ratio

14:1

Tuition

100% Tuition-Free (North Carolina Public Charter School)

About Ascend Leadership Academy

At Ascend Leadership Academy in Sanford, students in grades 5 to 12 attend our tuition-free charter campus, while grades 6 to 11 can enroll in our Remote Academy. We use project-based instruction with a focus on digital media and real-world learning. Students can join athletics, performing arts, e-sports, and other activities, and high school students can explore dual enrollment with Central Carolina Community College. Our school day runs from 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Student fit

Who this school serves

Grades and ages

  • Grades 5-12 (in person)
  • Grades 6-11 (remote)
  • Ages 11-18

Specialties

  • Project-Based Digital Innovation
  • Computer Science & Aviation Pathways
  • Exceptional Children (EC) Support Services
  • Leadership & Public Speaking Development
  • Personalized High School Graduation Tracks

Learning and support

Curriculum and therapeutic services

Services and supports

  • Exceptional Children (EC) Specialist Support
  • 504 Plan Accommodations
  • Executive Functioning & Study Labs
  • College & Career Transition Counseling

Programs

Programs at Ascend Leadership Academy

Other programs and supports

  • Exceptional Children (EC) Specialist Support
  • 504 Plan Accommodations
  • Executive Functioning & Study Labs
  • College & Career Transition Counseling

School facts

Practical details for families

School Type
Public charter school
Students with IEPs
58 (12% of students)
Students with 504 Plans
7

Accreditation and licensing

  • Cognia Accredited
  • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Approved

Tuition and funding

Tuition: 100% Tuition-Free (North Carolina Public Charter School)

  • Tuition-Free Public Charter School
  • State EC Allocations
  • Title I Support

Enrollment

599 students

Visit us

Location and directions

Map

Physical address

283 Harvey Faulk Rd, Sanford, NC 27332

Get directions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ascend Leadership Academy

Is Ascend Leadership Academy a tuition-free public school?

Yes. Ascend Leadership Academy is a 100% tuition-free public charter school serving grades 6-12 in Sanford and surrounding counties.

How does project-based learning work at Ascend?

Students work in teams on real-world projects combining STEM, business, and technology to master state curriculum standards while developing critical thinking and collaboration skills.

What support is available for students with IEPs or 504 plans?

The school employs certified Exceptional Children (EC) specialists who deliver individualized accommodation plans, push-in classroom assistance, and testing modifications.

Reviews

No reviews yet

Have experience with this provider? Help another family by sharing it.

Are you a representative of Ascend Leadership Academy?

Manage your school's information and respond to reviews

Other Schools in Sanford, NC

Students sit at tables in a bright classroom at Lee Christian School.

Lee Christian School

Sanford, NC Grades PreK-12
Pre-K4 Kindergarten 1
★ 1 1 review

We are a Christ-centered, coeducational private school in Sanford serving K4 through grade 12. Our school combines academic learning with Christian character and service. At Lee Christian School, teachers adapt learning and guidance to individual students while families take part in the school community. Faith is part of lessons and everyday relationships, with opportunities for students to put service into practice.

View school
Three young girls smiling together on a playground slide at First Baptist Weekday Education Center.

First Baptist Weekday Educ Center

Sanford, NC Ages 2-5
Kindergarten readiness Letterland curriculum Low staff turnover

First Baptist Weekday Education Center is a nonprofit, half-day preschool in Sanford that has been open for more than 30 years. We take children from age one through four, and every classroom has a lead teacher and an assistant. Our staff of 19 brings a combined 312 years of teaching. Each age has its own focus. One-year-olds work on sharing, music, art, dance and motor skills. Two-year-olds get their first taste of a structured classroom, and threes start on letters, numbers, writing their names and cutting. Our 4-year-old classes are the most structured, using the Letterland curriculum that lines up with Lee County Schools to get children ready for kindergarten. Children attend chapel twice a week for a Bible lesson with songs, movement and stories. Families choose Tuesday and Thursday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or five-day schedules, with 2026-27 monthly tuition from $155 to $350 plus an $80 yearly enrollment fee. For potty-trained 2s, 3s and 4s, Early Morning drop-off starts at 7:50 a.m. and Lunch Bunch adds playtime with pickup at 1:00 p.m., each for $5 a day.

View school

St. Luke Preschool | Sanford, NC

Sanford, NC Ages 1-4

At St. Luke Preschool in Sanford, we offer classes for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds, with two-, three-, and five-day schedules. Our days include classroom learning, outdoor play, and weekly music; children ages 2–4 also attend chapel. For Lee County residents, speech therapy can be provided through Lee County Schools at no cost. Please speak with us before enrollment about your child’s developmental needs, classroom routines, and any accommodations you are seeking.

View school

Need ABA therapy too?

Compare ABA therapy providers serving Sanford, NC.

Explore ABA providers