Schools in Zip Code 23040

Zip code 23040 in Cumberland, VA is served by three public schools in Cumberland County Public Schools — Cumberland Elementary (PK-4), Cumberland Middle (5-8), and Cumberland High (9-12) — with a combined enrollment of 1,278 students in a rural, high-poverty community where free/reduced lunch eligibility is near-universal and the district ranks 97th out of 131 Virginia divisions.

Among the three schools, Cumberland Elementary is the strongest overall performer, ranking in the 48th percentile of Virginia elementary schools with a 2-star rating. Its math scores beat state averages in 3rd grade (80.9% vs. 74.0%) and 4th grade (77.9% vs. 73.3%). Cumberland Middle is the most improved school, jumping from the 13th to the 32nd percentile and earning 2 stars, with standout results in 8th grade Algebra I (92.4%) and 6th grade math (69.1%). Cumberland High has the lowest academic ranking at the 16th percentile, but excels in graduation outcomes with a 95.0% graduation rate and 2.0% dropout rate — both better than state averages.

The most pressing concern is the high school's Geometry proficiency: only 28.3% of students scored proficient versus 85.9% statewide, despite 90% proficiency in Algebra II. Chronic absenteeism is also highest at the high school at 23.6%, compared to 14.8% statewide. The middle school shows significant 5th grade gaps in math (53.8% vs. 72.4%), reading (57.5% vs. 72.4%), and science (57.5% vs. 68.8%). Meanwhile, Cumberland Elementary posts strong math but weaker 3rd grade reading (60.7% vs. 67.6% statewide). All three schools maintain low student-teacher ratios between 11.4:1 and 13.5:1, suggesting class size is not the primary obstacle — priorities should focus on high school math intervention, reducing chronic absenteeism, and supporting early middle school learners.