Middle Schools in Cumberland

The Cumberland, Rhode Island area is home to two middle schools, North Cumberland Middle and Joseph L. McCourt Middle School, both part of the Cumberland school district. While both schools serve middle grade students, the data reveals significant differences in their academic performance and student demographics.

North Cumberland Middle stands out as the top-performing school, consistently ranked among the top 3 middle schools in Rhode Island over the past 3 years. The school boasts impressive proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics, outperforming both the Cumberland district and the state as a whole. In contrast, Joseph L. McCourt Middle School lags behind, with lower test scores and a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Interestingly, despite the higher spending per student at Joseph L. McCourt Middle School, the academic outcomes do not reflect this investment, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership and instructional practices, may play a more significant role in student performance.

The racial and socioeconomic differences between the two schools are also noteworthy. North Cumberland Middle has a higher percentage of white students and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which are often associated with higher academic achievement. This contrast highlights the importance of addressing equity and opportunity gaps within the Cumberland school district to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.