Top Rankings
Cherokee County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 3,104 students in Cherokee County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Cherokee County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
13 Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
3,104 Students
1,547,014 Students
# Teachers
236 Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Cherokee County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has decreased from 93% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#164 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
63%
Graduation Rate
91%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.30
0.71
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
7%
21%
% Black
2%
25%
% White
83%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,951 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,565 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$40 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$39 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,951
$11,187
Spending / Student
$12,565
$11,612
Best Cherokee County Schools School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Murphy High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
234 High School Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2426
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2426
Grades: 9-12
| 433 students
Rank: #22.
Tri-county Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Tri-county Early College High,
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Grades: 9-13
| 149 students
Rank: #33.
Peachtree Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
30 Upper Peachtree Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2479
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2479
Grades: PK-5
| 168 students
Rank: #44.
Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
337 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Grades: PK-8
| 121 students
Rank: #55.
Andrews High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
50 High School Drive
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5415
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5415
Grades: 9-12
| 222 students
Rank: #66.
Murphy Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
65 Middle School Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-0160
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-0160
Grades: 6-8
| 297 students
Rank: #77.
Andrews Middle School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2750 Business Hwy 19
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5762
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5762
Grades: 6-8
| 190 students
Rank: #88.
Murphy Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Valley River Avenue
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2424
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2424
Grades: PK-5
| 516 students
Rank: #99.
Ranger Elementary Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 Hardy Truett Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111
Grades: PK-8
| 277 students
Rank: #1010.
Martins Creek Elementary/mid
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1459 Tobe Stalcup Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831
Grades: PK-8
| 190 students
Rank: #1111.
Hiwassee Dam High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
267 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Grades: 9-12
| 141 students
Rank: #1212.
Andrews Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 Jean Christy Ave.
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-4415
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-4415
Grades: PK-5
| 348 students
Rank: #1313.
The Oaks Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
The Oaks Academy, 4700 East Us
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Grades: 6-12
| 52 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Cherokee County Schools School District?
Cherokee County Schools School District manages 13 public schools serving 3,104 students.
What is the rank of Cherokee County Schools School District?
Cherokee County Schools School District is ranked #160 out of 320 school districts in North Carolina (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County Schools School District?
83% of Cherokee County Schools School District students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Cherokee County Schools School District?
Cherokee County Schools School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What is Cherokee County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,565 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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