The Cumberland County Board of Education voted unanimously February 9 to allow high school students residing on Fort Bragg to enroll in any comprehensive county high school beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
The school district currently enrolls 196 students with Fort Bragg addresses. Of those, 176 attend high schools, with the largest group—138 students—enrolled at E.E. Smith High School.
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, students who reside on Fort Bragg and are eligible to attend Cumberland County Schools may enroll directly in any comprehensive high school within the district if there is space available at the school. Currently, students from Fort Bragg must first enroll at their zoned campus—E.E. Smith for high school students—and then request a transfer.
Melody McClain, associate superintendent of student support services, said Fort Bragg students have long had access to other schools through the district’s transfer and choice processes. Choice programs allow families to apply to schools offering specialized academic pathways or themed instruction.
In addition to the Fort Bragg students at E.E. Smith, they also attend Massey Hill Classical High (17 students), Pine Forest High (12), Terry Sanford High (8), and Cape Fear High (1).
What Is a Comprehensive High School?
District officials define comprehensive high schools as the system’s traditional campuses that serve 9th to 12th grade students based on attendance zones and offer a full range of academic courses, athletics, and extracurricular programs. The district has 10 comprehensive high schools.
These differ from specialty schools such as early colleges or themed academies that require applications or operate under specialized instructional models.
Comprehensive high schools in the Cumberland County school district:
- Pine Forest High
- Seventy-First High
- Jack Britt High
- South View High
- Douglas Byrd High
- Cape Fear High
- Gray’s Creek High
- Westover High
- Terry Sanford High
- E.E. Smith High
Transportation Remains Limited
Transportation services will not expand under the new enrollment option.
District officials said students residing on Fort Bragg receive bus stop transportation only if enrolled at E.E. Smith High. Tolson Youth Center bus routes are provided for select specialized choice programs.
“All other families are responsible for providing transportation to their selected school once approved,” McClain said.
