Dear Cumberland Academy Families & Community,
As our families gather this Fourth of July week to celebrate our nation's independence, we are reminded that strong communities are built through shared purpose, service, and a belief in the future. Those same values define Cumberland Academy. While our campuses are quieter during the summer months, our commitment to preparing for another exceptional school year has never been stronger. I want to take this opportunity to reflect on where we are as a district, celebrate what we have accomplished together, and share the exciting work that lies ahead.
The confidence our families place in Cumberland Academy continues to inspire us. We are on pace to welcome more than 1,500 students this fall, and enrollment continues to grow. Just last week, we enrolled 20 new students, a testament to the reputation our students, staff, and families have helped build. As we continue to grow, I encourage you to share the Cumberland Academy story with your friends, neighbors, and family members. Your recommendation is the greatest compliment we can receive. Every new student strengthens our school community while increasing the funding that allows us to invest in outstanding teachers, innovative programs, and expanded opportunities for every child.
This year also marks continued growth in several signature programs. Our Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 programs remain the fastest-growing in the district, reaffirming our belief that high-quality early childhood education creates the foundation for lifelong success. We are also excited about the continued expansion of The Leadership Academy, our Montessori campus, where students develop independence, curiosity, creativity, and leadership through a learner-centered approach that complements our district's commitment to educational excellence.
Innovation remains at the heart of our mission. Our Cumberland Connect program continues to provide students in grades 9–12 with flexible pathways through traditional, hybrid, and fully virtual instruction while ensuring they remain connected to the complete Cumberland Academy experience. Beginning this year, we are excited to partner with Subject.com to provide engaging, high-quality instruction for our virtual and hybrid courses, expanding learning opportunities while maintaining the academic rigor and personalized support our students deserve. Click HERE to see a clip of what this platform will offer our learning community.
One of our most important priorities moving forward is literacy. This year, we will fully implement our District Literacy Framework, strengthening reading instruction across every elementary campus. We are committed to ensuring every student develops the foundational reading skills necessary to become confident, capable learners. Literacy is the gateway to success in every subject, and our investment in high-quality instructional practices, professional learning, and evidence-based literacy instruction reflects our unwavering commitment to every child's future.
Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom. Through purposeful planning and responsible stewardship, we continue to ensure that every dollar supports student success while maintaining the district's long-term financial health.
Academically, our preliminary STAAR results provide both reasons to celebrate and opportunities to improve. We are encouraged by significant gains across many grade levels, particularly at our Upper Elementary campus, and we are proud that our high school is projected to be the highest-performing campus in our district. At the same time, we recognize there are areas where additional focus is needed. We remain committed to continuous improvement and to providing every student with the instruction and support needed to achieve their fullest potential.
Another accomplishment worth celebrating is improved student attendance across the district. Thank you for partnering with us to make attendance a priority. Every day a student is in school is another opportunity to learn, grow, and build meaningful relationships.
Looking ahead, we are excited to expand opportunities through two outstanding partnerships. Our collaboration with UT Health East Texas will provide families with access to an array of coordinated services designed to meet identified student and family needs, helping remove barriers to learning while supporting the whole child. We are also proud to partner with The University of Texas at Tyler to launch a Grow Your Own program that will support current campus support staff team members pursuing teaching degrees while welcoming future educators into our classrooms to learn alongside our exceptional teachers.
As we celebrate this Independence Day and prepare for another school year, Cumberland Academy is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience where every student is known, challenged, and inspired. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in our mission. Together, we will continue building a school community where every child has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, faculty, and staff, I wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and relaxing Fourth of July. We look forward to welcoming our students back soon for another extraordinary year at Cumberland Academy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, Superintendent