The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Science. The lowest is 43% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Cis Academy
CIS Academy is a small charter school serving middle grades in Pembroke, a rural Robeson County town anchored by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina's governmental seat, and a modest downtown with plans for pedestrian and streetscape improvements. The school enrolls a small enrollment of students across grades six through eight, nearly all of whom are American Indian, reflecting the Lumbee and broader tribal population of the region. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a community with limited household wealth.
CIS Academy's most recent state test results show proficiency well below the midpoint. In math, just under half of tested students scored at proficient level or above on the state's End-of-Grade test, while in English language arts the rate was slightly lower. Science proficiency, measured on a smaller cohort, was slightly above half. These results position the school toward the lower end of performance, and a parent may want to look into the school's academic supports, curriculum materials, and teacher qualifications to understand what steps are being taken to strengthen classroom instruction, particularly in reading and math. State assessment trends cannot be compared because the science test itself changed, making year-to-year comparison unreliable.
The school's enrollment is quite small, which can carry both advantages and constraints. Small schools often allow closer relationships between students and teachers and more individualized attention, but they also mean fewer course options, fewer extracurricular choices, and less ability to group students by ability level within grade bands. A parent should ask what courses and electives are available and whether the school has on-staff specialists in literacy or math intervention if their child needs support.
Data on special education enrollment and English learner services is not publicly available, so a parent with a child who has an IEP or speaks another language at home should contact the school directly to understand what services are available and how they are staffed. Similarly, school climate, discipline, attendance, and staff turnover information was not available; these are worth asking about if school culture and stability matter to your family.
Pembroke itself offers modest housing values compared to state and national benchmarks, reflecting rural Robeson County's economic position. The town is a car-dependent community centered on state highway commerce, though a town streetscape project is currently working to improve walkability between downtown, the university, and the Lumbee Tribal complex. The university and tribal government are the largest employers; the region does not have dense job markets or rapid housing appreciation.
CIS Academy is an independent charter district serving only its own building. Parents should verify whether the school has transportation to and from school or whether families are expected to arrange it. They should also ask about school calendar, whether it aligns with summer childcare needs, and what happens if the school closes due to weather or other emergency. As a small, sole-operator charter, the school has more autonomy in curriculum and hiring than a traditional district school, but also no larger district office to call on for services like special education evaluation, counseling, or substitute teacher staffing.
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