It is named after Terry Sanford, who was a North Carolina state senator, Governor of North Carolina, and United States Senator.

Students range from grades 9–12 and is a part of the Cumberland County School System.

The origins of Terry Sanford High School stems from when Clyde R. Hoey, then Governor of North Carolina, dedicated Fayetteville Senior High School on September 23, 1940.

[1] Terry Sanford's sports teams play under the name "Bulldogs" as that is their mascot.

The school has 17 varsity teams which compete in the Cape Fear Valley Conference.