Exploring Life & Business with Debbi Scarborough of Cumberland Academy of Georgia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbi Scarborough.

Hi Debbi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My son Steven was born at just 24½ weeks, weighing only two pounds. By the age of three, he was diagnosed with autism—at a time when, in 1998, the diagnosis was widely misunderstood, and support was limited. Steven attended public school through fifth grade, but then a principal gently pulled us aside and shared a difficult truth: middle school would likely be a challenging environment for Steven to truly thrive. That conversation launched our search for a place where our son could succeed.

I quickly learned that finding such a place was far easier said than done. Steven was turned away by 15 local private schools. In 2006, faced with no viable options, I made the life-changing decision to sell my successful business and take this into my own hands by starting a school for my son and for other children like him. Through perseverance, networking, generous donors, and strong community partnerships, that vision has grown into a nonprofit private school now serving more than 100 families with special needs children. We have also expanded our mission to include College at Cumberland, in partnership with Landmark College, a first-of-its-kind program providing postsecondary opportunities and continued support for students to thrive beyond high school.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The past 19 years have been filled with inspiration and joy, but they have also required tremendous hard work and perseverance. Our earliest challenge was simply learning how to start and operate a school from the ground up. Today, our challenges have evolved. We provide a service that families truly need, not merely want, as is often the case with other private schools. Many of the families we serve struggle to afford specialized education, while we continually work to raise the funds necessary to make this education accessible to every student who needs it, which includes finding an additional campus and funding scholarships.

Our mission is to support independent neurodiverse learners who need social skills and academics. Earning accreditation is an intensive and time-consuming process for any institution, yet through dedication and commitment to excellence, we achieved accreditation in just two years—an accomplishment that reflects the strength of our program and our unwavering belief in what is possible for our students.

As you know, we’re big fans of Cumberland Academy of Georgia. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Cumberland Academy of Georgia is an accredited, nonprofit private school serving neurodiverse students in grades 3–12 and college. Our program is intentionally designed to meet the unique learning needs of students who were not successfully served in traditional educational settings. We provide a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum while placing equal emphasis on the development of social skills, executive functioning, independence, and real-world life skills.

At Cumberland, students are challenged both academically and personally—inside and outside the classroom. Through small class sizes, individualized instruction, and a supportive school culture, we help students build confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy. As a result, students who once struggled to find success in other schools are now thriving, and our graduating seniors have achieved a 100% college acceptance rate.

Beyond academic outcomes, we are deeply proud of the transformational experiences our students have each day. At Cumberland, students enjoy a truly inclusive and typical school experience—forming meaningful friendships, participating in school life, and developing a sense of belonging that many had never experienced before. Our mission is not only to prepare students for college, but to empower them to succeed in life with confidence, purpose, and community.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
The beauty of Atlanta is the diversity of its people and businesses. It truly feels like a place where everyone is welcome. I am continually inspired by the way this community has embraced our mission and supported our work—whether or not autism has touched their own lives. From local businesses that open their doors to our students, allowing them to learn and serve alongside their teams, to individuals who actively seek us out to help our children succeed, the support has been extraordinary.

The thing I like least about Atlanta? The traffic… obviously.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cumberlandacademy.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cumberlandacademyofgeorgia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CumberlandAcademy