Summary:
ZIP code 02864 has two middle schools in Cumberland, both serving grades 6–8: North Cumberland Middle and Joseph L. McCourt Middle School. In 2025–26, both scored above the state in ELA, math, and science, but their results were far apart. The key finding for families is that these two schools offer markedly different test-score profiles, with North leading McCourt in every subject.
North Cumberland stands out at the top, with 68% proficient in ELA, 73% in math, and 62% in science; McCourt is lower in each subject, at 47%, 50%, and 39%, respectively. North’s leads are 21 percentage points in ELA, 24 in math, and 23 in science. Still, McCourt is above the state in all three subjects: state results are 33% in ELA, 32% in math, and 31% in science. SchoolDigger ranks North 2nd of 68 schools statewide and McCourt 14th of 68. The lead also holds grade by grade, though it varies: in grade 7 math, for example, North scored 70% and McCourt 39%, versus 28% statewide.
Recent changes show math improving at both schools, while other subjects had mixed results. From 2024–25 to 2025–26, North’s math rose 7 percentage points and its science fell 4; its ELA was nearly unchanged. McCourt’s math rose 12 points and science 6, while ELA fell 2. Across the two schools, math had the clearest shared gain, while ELA was roughly flat. Context figures offer another contrast, not an explanation of scores: North had a 13.1 student-teacher ratio and $13,591 in reported per-student spending, compared with McCourt’s 10.4 ratio and $16,635. Reported free/reduced-lunch rates were 14% at North and 45% at McCourt.
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