School Report Cards Welcome Letter (2023-2024)
Dear Community Stakeholders,
Thank you for your continued interest in Cumberland County Schools (CCS). As the fifth-largest school district in North Carolina, with over 6,000 dedicated employees serving nearly 50,000 students across 86 schools, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe, positive, and rigorous learning environment for every student.
The North Carolina School Report Cards website offers a wealth of data related to various measures of student achievement. While test scores and grades provide valuable insights, we recognize that they don’t tell the whole story of school and student success. We are committed to providing equitable access to engaging learning experiences that prepare our students to succeed in the classroom and beyond. As we celebrate the progress made during the 2023-2024 school year, we are reminded that our journey toward excellence continues.
17 schools removed from the state's low-performing list – a testament to the dedication and hard work of our educators, administrators, and students.
55 schools in the district increased their composite proficiency scores on state-mandated assessments, demonstrating improvement across the board.
84.1% of schools in the district met or exceeded growth expectations, outperforming the statewide average of 72.5%.
50 schools improved the numerical value of their School Performance Grade, and 12 schools improved their School Performance Letter Grade.
In addition, we have seen proficiency gains in 12 of the 19 tested subject areas, with 33 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 6 high schools achieving double-digit gains in at least one tested subject. While we celebrate these successes, we remain focused on addressing areas where improvement is needed, such as 4th and 7th-grade reading.
Our district’s overall four-year cohort graduation rate for 2023-2024 was 85.2%, slightly lower than last year, but we are committed to supporting all students toward graduation and beyond. Additionally, 33.4% of our high school juniors met the minimum ACT composite score for UNC System admission, with significant gains recorded at several high schools.
While our district has made considerable progress, there is still work to be done. Through the PASE (Performance, Accountability, Support, and Empowerment) framework, we are providing targeted support to our schools and students, especially those still on the low-performing list. We are confident that, with continued focus and collaboration, we will see even greater results in the future.
After reviewing the information on the NC School Report Cards website, I encourage you to learn more by talking with your child’s principal or visiting one of our 86 schools as a volunteer. You can explore volunteer opportunities by visiting our Community Engagement Opportunities website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/ceo.
Thank you for your continued support of Cumberland County Schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr.
Superintendent, Cumberland County Schools