High Schools in Cumberland County Schools

The Cumberland County Schools district in North Carolina is home to 18 high schools that vary in size, performance, and student demographics. While the district's overall 4-year graduation rate is above the state average at 87.7%, there is a significant gap in academic outcomes between the top-performing and lower-performing schools.

The standout schools in the district include Cumberland Polytechnic, ranked 40th out of 641 high schools in the state with exceptional test scores, as well as Cross Creek Early College and Cumberland International Early College, both of which are ranked in the top 40 and have 5-star ratings. These specialized, smaller schools demonstrate significantly higher proficiency rates across core subject EOC exams compared to the district and state averages.

In contrast, some schools in the district, such as Alger B. Wilkins High School, have single-digit proficiency rates on EOC exams. The wide range in free/reduced lunch rates, from 37.63% at Massey Hill Classical High to 99.7% at Alger B. Wilkins High School, suggests a high level of economic disadvantage across many of the district's high schools, which may contribute to the disparities in academic performance.