Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 28306

The 28306 zip code area of Cumberland County, North Carolina is home to two middle schools - New Century International Middle and Howard Learning Academy. While New Century International Middle is a relatively high-performing school, Howard Learning Academy is struggling academically, with significantly lower test scores across various subjects and grade levels.

New Century International Middle consistently outperforms the Cumberland County Schools district and the state of North Carolina in Math, Reading, and Science. For example, in 2024-2025, 61.9% of 6th graders at New Century International Middle were proficient or better in Math, compared to 47.8% for the district and 57.2% for the state. In contrast, Howard Learning Academy has very low test scores, with only 9.8% of 6th graders proficient or better in Reading, compared to 49.7% for the district and 52.3% for the state.

The data also reveals differences in other key metrics between the two schools. New Century International Middle has a 54.79% free/reduced lunch rate, while Howard Learning Academy has a much higher rate of 75%. Additionally, New Century International Middle spends $9,852 per student, while Howard Learning Academy spends significantly more at $28,798 per student. These differences in school characteristics and resources may be contributing factors to the disparate academic outcomes between the two institutions.