Jesse O. Sanderson High School (commonly known as Sanderson High School), is a co-educational 9–12 public high school located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States in the Wake County Public School System. The school was founded in 1968. It is named after a former superintendent of Raleigh public schools, Jesse O. Sanderson. Sanderson runs on a 2x4 block schedule; it was one of the first schools in the area to do so. It is known for its performing arts, athletic, and community outreach programs.

Clubs Sanderson's student government has received recognition for their participation in the Sanderson community. It is one of the only four high schools in the state and 131 in the country to earn the National Association of Student Councils Gold Council of Excellence in 2010.

Performing arts

Sanderson Theatre Ensemble In 2018, Sanderson High School performed the play “26 Pebbles” by Eric Ulloa, a play about the Sandy Hook shooting, for the North Carolina Theatre Conference.

Sanderson Sandpipers The director of the Sanderson Sandpipers, Allison Taylor. Former director Marshall Butler jr. has been recognized as an outstanding music educator by the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. Marshall Butler retired at the end of the 201516 school year.

Athletics

Cheerleading Sanderson's cheerleading squad were the 2005 NCHSAA Super Varsity state invitational champions and 2005 Carolina Cup champions.All-Time Cheerleading Invitational Division Winners and Champion. NCHSAA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Men's Cross Country Sanderson's men's cross-country team won the 2009 NCHSAA 4A state championship.

Men's Soccer Sanderson's men's soccer team has won eleven NCHSAA soccer state championships. They also once held the national record for most consecutive games without a loss at 103, which is still the state record. Since the early 1980s, they have also produced a number of Division 1 players.

Women's Soccer Sanderson's women's soccer team were the 1991 NCHSAA state champions.Women's Soccer - NCHSAA. NCHSAA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Men's Swimming The men's swim team has won four NCHSAA state championships.Men's Team State Champions. NCHSAA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Women's Swimming The women's swim team has won five NCHSAA state championships.Women’s Team State Champions. NCHSAA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Volleyball Sanderson volleyball was won two NCHSAA state championships.State Championship Results and MVP’s. NCHSAA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Wrestling The wrestling team won the 1983 NCHSAA state tournament championship.Men’s Wrestling Individual Tournament State Championships and History. NCHSAA. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Administration As of August 2019, Gretta Dula is the principal of Sanderson High School. Dula replaced Gregory Decker who served as the school's principal for over ten years, and was credited with raising the schools graduation rates while principal. Catty Moore, Decker's predecessor, served in the position for seven years between 2000 and 2008, and would later go on to become the superintendent of the Wake County Public School System in 2018.

YearGraduation Rate+/- 2006 78.6%N/A 2007 76.1% -2.5 2008 77.5% +1.4 2009 76.7% -0.8 2010 75% -1.7 2011 77.5% +2.7 2012 78.6% +1.1 2013 78.2% -0.4 2014 82.8% +4.6201581.4% -1.4201689.1% +7.7 2017 86.9% -2.2 2018 84.5% -2.4 2019 86.0% +1.5 2020 87.3% +1.3 2021 88.7% +1.4 2022 81.7% -7.0 2023 82.9% +1.2

Demographic & economic background Race Number of Students Percentage American Indian 4 0.02% Asian 63 3.1% Black 505 25.5% Hispanic 310 15.7% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islands 5 0.02% Two or More 55 2.7% White 1031 52.2% Total (2015–16) 1973 100%

As of 2012, 28% of the students receive free lunch, 4% receive reduced-price lunch, and 68% receive no lunch benefits.

Notable alumni Tom Fetzer (1973), former Mayor of Raleigh and former chair of the North Carolina Republican Party Steve Dobrogosz (1974), pianist and composer Steve Kenney (1974), NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles; Offensive linesman at Clemson University David Sedaris (1975), noted author and humorist Jeb Bishop, American jazz trombone playerLawerence, Jordan. (Feb 13, 2013). Native North Carolinian Jeb Bishop brings his jazz résumé back home. INDY Week. Retrieved Mar 6, 2020. Amy Sedaris (1980), author, humorist and actress; creator and star of the "Strangers with Candy" television series on Comedy Central and the 2006 major motion picture release of the same title Jeff Williams (1981), Chief Operating Officer of Apple Inc Paul Friedrich (1985), cartoon artist Clark Brisson (1987), All-American soccer player at the University of South Carolina; Played eight years in the National Professional Soccer League; Currently assistant coach at the University of New Haven Melanie Wade Goodwin (1988), member of the North Carolina General Assembly David Fox (1989), swimmer at North Carolina State University; 1996 Olympic gold medalist in men's 4x100 metre relay Caleb Norkus (1997), former professional soccer player who played for such teams as The Carolina Railhawks, Richmond Kickers, and Puerto Rico Islanders; also played for the U.S men's national team in 1995 Darryl Partin (2006), former professional basketball playerDarryl Partin - Men's Basketball - Boston University. GoTerriers.com. Retrieved Aug 13, 2020. Annie E. Clark (2007), women's and civil rights activist Matt James (2010), former college football player for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the first black Bachelor lead on season 25 of The Bachelor Ryan Jeffers (2015), MLB player for the Minnesota Twins Alim McNeill (2018), NFL defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions

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