Cumberland County Schools & Education
Cumberland County, North Carolina
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
25/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Lower Signal
Graduation Rate
85.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
85.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,485
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
25/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 40/100
State Score Position
#90
of 100 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Cumberland County
Measured School Summary
Cumberland County faces educational challenges with a school score of 25/100 and a graduation rate of 85.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,485 per pupil, Cumberland County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 38% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 3.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Cumberland County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
88 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
25/100
Lower measured signal. Ranks #90 of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data.
Completion
85.0%
3.0 pts below the state average
Funding context
$6,485
$484 below the state average
School coverage
88
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
The county-level signal is lower, so review individual schools and local records before interpreting the score. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Cumberland County has 88 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Cumberland County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
Cumberland County Schools carries most of the listed public-school system, with 86 of 88 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#90
of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data. The county score is 15 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Cumberland County Schools
Elementary to high school visible
49,661 students
86 listed schools in this county slice.
Alpha Academy
Other grade structure
1,126 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
The Capitol Encore Academy
Other grade structure
725 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Cumberland County Schools is the largest listed district slice, with 86 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Cumberland County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Cumberland County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Cumberland County, North Carolina
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Vast Educational Infrastructure in Fayetteville
Cumberland County maintains a large-scale system of 88 public schools serving a massive population of 51,512 students. The network includes 51 elementary, 17 middle, and 18 high schools. Three distinct districts manage this extensive inventory of educational facilities.
A Landscape Led by Cumberland County Schools
Cumberland County Schools dominates the landscape, overseeing 86 schools and nearly 50,000 students. Two charter schools, including Alpha Academy with 1,126 students, provide alternative options for families. These charters represent 2.3% of the total school count, offering focused specialized learning.
Urban Centers and Large High School Campuses
Education here is primarily urban, with 53 schools located in city centers. Jack Britt High stands as the largest school with 1,890 students, contributing to an average school size of 585 students. The environment feels energetic and fast-paced, reflecting the county's role as a major regional hub.
School Overview
Total Schools
88
in Cumberland County
Reported Enrollment
51,512
88 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
2
2% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Cumberland County
Cumberland County Schools
GuideAlpha Academy
The Capitol Encore Academy
88 Public Schools in Cumberland County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 15 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 88 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Britt High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28306Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,890 |
| Pine Forest High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28311Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,572 |
| Cape Fear High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28312Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 1,529 |
| South View High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Hope Mills, 28348Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,502 |
| Gray's Creek High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Hope Mills, 28348Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 1,395 |
| Seventy-First High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28304City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,366 |
| Terry Sanford High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28303City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,224 |
| Westover High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28303City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,202 |
| Mac Williams Middle | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28312Rural: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 1,151 |
| Alpha Academy | Profile | Alpha Academy | Fayetteville, 28314City: Midsize | KG–12 | Charter | 1,126 |
| Gray's Creek Middle | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Hope Mills, 28348Rural: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 1,126 |
| John R Griffin Middle | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28304Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 1,091 |
| E E Smith High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28301City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,004 |
| Douglas Byrd High | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28304City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 940 |
| Douglas Byrd Middle | Profile | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28304City: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 935 |
| Gallberry Farm Elementary | Record | Cumberland County Schools | Hope Mills, 28348Suburb: Large | PK–5 | Primary | 908 |
| Stoney Point Elementary | Record | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28306Suburb: Large | KG–5 | Primary | 879 |
| E Melvin Honeycutt Elementary | Record | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28306Suburb: Large | KG–5 | Primary | 834 |
| Westover Middle | Record | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28303City: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 784 |
| R Max Abbott Middle | Record | Cumberland County Schools | Fayetteville, 28305City: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 759 |
Jack Britt High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28306 / Suburb: Large
Pine Forest High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28311 / Suburb: Large
Cape Fear High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28312 / Rural: Fringe
South View High
Cumberland County Schools
Hope Mills, 28348 / Suburb: Large
Gray's Creek High
Cumberland County Schools
Hope Mills, 28348 / Rural: Fringe
Seventy-First High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28304 / City: Midsize
Terry Sanford High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28303 / City: Midsize
Westover High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28303 / City: Midsize
Mac Williams Middle
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28312 / Rural: Fringe
Alpha Academy
Alpha Academy
Fayetteville, 28314 / City: Midsize
Gray's Creek Middle
Cumberland County Schools
Hope Mills, 28348 / Rural: Fringe
John R Griffin Middle
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28304 / Suburb: Large
E E Smith High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28301 / City: Midsize
Douglas Byrd High
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28304 / City: Midsize
Douglas Byrd Middle
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28304 / City: Midsize
Gallberry Farm Elementary
Cumberland County Schools
Hope Mills, 28348 / Suburb: Large
Stoney Point Elementary
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28306 / Suburb: Large
E Melvin Honeycutt Elementary
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28306 / Suburb: Large
Westover Middle
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28303 / City: Midsize
R Max Abbott Middle
Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, 28305 / City: Midsize
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,485
State avg $6,969
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Cumberland County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which North Carolina counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in North Carolina?
How should I read the school score in Cumberland County?
What is the graduation rate in Cumberland County?
How much does Cumberland County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cumberland County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cumberland County, North Carolina?
Cumberland County maintains a large-scale system of 88 public schools serving a massive population of 51,512 students. The network includes 51 elementary, 17 middle, and 18 high schools. Three distinct districts manage this extensive inventory of educational facilities.
What are the major school districts in Cumberland County, North Carolina?
Cumberland County Schools dominates the landscape, overseeing 86 schools and nearly 50,000 students. Two charter schools, including Alpha Academy with 1,126 students, provide alternative options for families. These charters represent 2.3% of the total school count, offering focused specialized learning.
What is the school experience like in Cumberland County?
Education here is primarily urban, with 53 schools located in city centers. Jack Britt High stands as the largest school with 1,890 students, contributing to an average school size of 585 students. The environment feels energetic and fast-paced, reflecting the county's role as a major regional hub.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.