Cumberland County Schools

The Cumberland County Schools district in North Carolina encompasses 86 schools, including 51 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, and 18 high schools. The district serves a diverse student population with varying academic performance across its schools.

Several standout schools in the district include Cumberland Polytechnic High School, which ranks 40th out of 641 high schools in the state and has exceptional end-of-course exam results. Cross Creek Early College High School is another high-performing school, ranking 10th in the state with similarly impressive exam scores. At the elementary level, Eastover-Central Elementary School and Stedman Elementary School stand out with outstanding end-of-grade exam proficiency. Additionally, the small Beaver Dam Elementary School achieves a perfect 5-star rating.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the district, with some schools struggling to achieve even 20% proficiency on state exams. Many schools in the district serve high-poverty communities, with free or reduced-price lunch rates exceeding 95% at several locations. Funding also varies widely, from around $7,300 to over $28,000 per student, potentially contributing to the uneven outcomes. Overall, the Cumberland County Schools district faces both areas of strength and significant challenges in providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.