Officials at The Cloverleaf School, founded for students with "neurological processing differences," told parents in a letter on March 11 that the school would close March 30 because of financial troubles.

Instead, students spent their last day at the school Friday.

Board member Shari Bayer said Tuesday morning via email that the Cumberland Academy was able to take students a week earlier than expected, which resulted in the premature closing.

Parents said some of the school’s teachers left almost immediately after the closing announcement was made. Students spent much of the last two weeks out of the classroom on field trips.

About the Author

Featured

Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC