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Cherokee County Schools

Item: Cherokee County Schools
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

911 Andrews Road
Murphy, NC 28906-3501

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (828) 837-2722

www.cherokee.k12.nc.us

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 2,989 students in Cherokee County Schools. This district's average is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.

Public Schools in Cherokee County Schools have an score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and 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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

13 Schools

2,729 Schools

# Students

2,989 Students

1,548,397 Students

# Teachers

203 Teachers

96,034 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	99	76
Kind	208	315
1	203	325
2	227	330
3	231	341
4	197	325
5	199	333
6	215	333
7	219	336
8	219	338
9	267	385
10	237	359
11	256	337
12	212	315

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District Rank

Cherokee County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 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 47% has decreased from 92% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#164 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools
2023	#164
2022	#164
2021	#153
2019	#129
2018	#134
2017	#130
2016	#143
2015	#130
2014	#129
2013	#108
2012	#95
2011	#80
2010	#92

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(21-22)

50%

51%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	50%	51%
2021	42%	42%
2019	41%	42%
2018	42%	48%
2017	47%	47%
2016	42%	47%
2015	39%	44%
2014	37%	43%
2013	37%	42%
2012	84%	82%
2011	85%	82%
2010	83%	81%

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50%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	50%	50%
2021	47%	47%
2019	49%	46%
2018	42%	47%
2017	50%	46%
2016	48%	47%
2015	50%	46%
2014	47%	46%
2013	47%	45%
2012	77%	73%
2011	76%	70%
2010	74%	69%

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68%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2022	68%	63%
2021	69%	61%

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47%

86.5%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	47%	86%
2022	91%	86%
2021	87%	85%
2020	76%	86%
2019	93%	85%
2018	92%	86%
2017	93%	88%
2016	91%	88%
2015	93%	87%
2014	91%	86%
2013	92%	85%
2012	89%	83%
2011	86%	81%

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(2022-23)

38.7%

28.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	38.7%	28.7%
2022	48.3%	33.4%
2021	38.5%	25.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.31

0.72

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.28	0.71
2022	0.27	0.70
2021	0.26	0.69
2020	0.27	0.70
2019	0.27	0.68
2018	0.22	0.68
2017	0.22	0.67
2016	0.21	0.66
2015	0.21	0.66
2014	0.19	0.65
2013	0.19	0.65
2012	0.18	0.64
2011	0.18	0.64
2010	0.16	0.61
2009	0.16	0.61
2008	0.15	0.61
2007	0.14	0.60
2006	0.13	0.58
2005	0.14	0.57
2004	0.11	0.57
2003	0.13	0.56
2002	0.13	0.55
2001	0.12	0.53
2000	0.09	0.53
1999	0.09	0.51
1998	0.09	0.51
1997	0.10	0.50
1996	0.10	0.49
1995	0.10	0.49
1994	0.13	0.48
1993	0.12	0.48
1992	0.13	0.48
1991	0.11	0.48
1990	0.11	0.48
1989	0.08	0.47
1988	0.09	0.47

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% American Indian

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2021	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2018	2%	1%
2017	2%	1%
2016	2%	1%
2015	2%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	2%	1%
2012	2%	1%
2011	2%	2%
2010	2%	1%
2009	3%	2%
2008	2%	2%
2007	3%	2%
2006	2%	2%
2005	1%	1%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	2%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	2%	1%
1998	2%	1%
1997	2%	2%
1996	3%	1%
1995	2%	2%
1994	3%	2%
1993	3%	2%
1992	4%	2%
1991	3%	2%
1990	2%	2%
1989	1%	2%
1988	2%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Showing 2010–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1993-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	1%	4%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

22%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1990-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	7%	20%
2022	7%	20%
2021	7%	19%
2020	7%	19%
2019	7%	18%
2018	6%	18%
2017	6%	17%
2016	6%	16%
2015	6%	16%
2014	4%	15%
2013	4%	14%
2012	4%	13%
2011	3%	13%
2010	3%	11%
2009	2%	11%
2008	3%	11%
2007	2%	10%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	8%
2004	1%	7%
2003	1%	6%
2002	1%	5%
2001	1%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%
1998	1%	3%
1997	1%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%

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% Black

24%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	2%	25%
2022	2%	25%
2021	2%	25%
2020	2%	24%
2019	2%	25%
2018	1%	25%
2017	1%	26%
2016	1%	26%
2015	2%	26%
2014	1%	26%
2013	2%	26%
2012	2%	26%
2011	2%	26%
2010	3%	31%
2009	4%	31%
2008	2%	29%
2007	2%	29%
2006	3%	31%
2005	3%	32%
2004	3%	31%
2003	3%	31%
2002	3%	31%
2001	3%	31%
2000	2%	31%
1999	2%	31%
1998	2%	31%
1997	2%	31%
1996	2%	31%
1995	2%	30%
1994	2%	30%
1993	2%	30%
1992	2%	30%
1991	3%	30%
1990	2%	30%
1989	2%	30%
1988	2%	30%

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% White

83%

42%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	84%	44%
2022	85%	45%
2021	86%	46%
2020	85%	46%
2019	85%	48%
2018	88%	48%
2017	88%	49%
2016	88%	50%
2015	88%	50%
2014	90%	51%
2013	90%	52%
2012	90%	53%
2011	91%	53%
2010	91%	54%
2009	91%	54%
2008	92%	55%
2007	92%	56%
2006	92%	57%
2005	93%	57%
2004	94%	58%
2003	93%	59%
2002	93%	60%
2001	94%	61%
2000	96%	61%
1999	95%	63%
1998	95%	63%
1997	95%	64%
1996	95%	65%
1995	95%	65%
1994	93%	66%
1993	94%	66%
1992	93%	66%
1991	94%	66%
1990	95%	66%
1989	96%	67%
1988	95%	67%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	5%	6%
2022	4%	5%
2021	3%	5%
2020	4%	6%
2019	4%	5%
2018	3%	4%
2017	3%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	2%	4%
2014	2%	4%
2013	1%	4%
2012	1%	4%
2011	1%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,683 is higher than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has declined by 11% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $15,488 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$47 MM

$20,622 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$47 MM	$11 MM
2022	$52 MM	$9 MM
2021	$40 MM	$8 MM
2020	$40 MM	$8 MM
2019	$40 MM	$8 MM
2018	$37 MM	$8 MM
2017	$36 MM	$8 MM
2016	$35 MM	$8 MM
2015	$38 MM	$18 MM
2014	$34 MM	$10 MM
2012	$37 MM	$17 MM
2011	$38 MM	$19 MM
2010	$38 MM	$18 MM
2009	$39 MM	$19 MM
2008	$38 MM	$18 MM
2007	$37 MM	$18 MM
2006	$34 MM	$15 MM
2005	$33 MM	$15 MM
2004	$34 MM	$17 MM
2003	$31 MM	$17 MM
2002	$29 MM	$16 MM
2001	$27 MM	$17 MM
2000	$26 MM	$20 MM
1999	$30 MM	$23 MM
1998	$31 MM	$26 MM
1997	$25 MM	$34 MM
1996	$19 MM	$34 MM
1995	$19 MM	$32 MM
1992	$16 MM	$23 MM
1990	$15 MM	$22 MM

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Spending

$46 MM

$21,575 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$46 MM	$10 MM
2022	$50 MM	$9 MM
2021	$39 MM	$8 MM
2020	$40 MM	$8 MM
2019	$40 MM	$7 MM
2018	$37 MM	$8 MM
2017	$36 MM	$9 MM
2016	$35 MM	$8 MM
2015	$36 MM	$18 MM
2014	$33 MM	$11 MM
2012	$35 MM	$16 MM
2011	$36 MM	$17 MM
2010	$36 MM	$18 MM
2009	$38 MM	$18 MM
2008	$36 MM	$17 MM
2007	$35 MM	$18 MM
2006	$32 MM	$15 MM
2005	$32 MM	$15 MM
2004	$32 MM	$16 MM
2003	$31 MM	$17 MM
2002	$28 MM	$15 MM
2001	$27 MM	$17 MM
2000	$25 MM	$20 MM
1999	$30 MM	$24 MM
1998	$33 MM	$26 MM
1997	$25 MM	$36 MM
1996	$19 MM	$33 MM
1995	$18 MM	$32 MM
1992	$16 MM	$23 MM
1990	$16 MM	$21 MM

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Revenue / Student

$15,683

$13,318

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$14,901	$13,656
2022	$17,665	$12,185
2021	$13,614	$10,282
2020	$12,552	$9,918
2019	$12,109	$9,125
2018	$11,057	$9,419
2017	$10,510	$10,522
2016	$9,985	$9,128
2015	$10,975	$10,864
2014	$10,171	$9,046
2012	$10,367	$10,562
2011	$10,565	$12,703
2010	$10,338	$10,864
2009	$10,324	$11,105
2008	$9,913	$11,767
2007	$9,631	$9,479
2006	$8,722	$9,335
2005	$8,839	$8,913
2004	$8,966	$8,734
2003	$8,203	$8,577
2002	$7,963	$8,130
2001	$7,444	$7,294
2000	$7,215	$7,636
1999	$8,370	$7,252
1998	$8,626	$5,688
1997	$6,975	$5,690
1995	$5,313	$5,545
1992	$4,500	$4,737
1990	$4,107	$4,663

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Spending / Student

$15,488

$13,934

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$14,715	$12,720
2022	$16,832	$11,976
2021	$13,208	$9,990
2020	$12,571	$9,654
2019	$12,200	$8,949
2018	$11,007	$9,637
2017	$10,590	$11,583
2016	$10,049	$9,753
2015	$10,659	$10,591
2014	$10,015	$9,388
2012	$10,029	$10,336
2011	$10,101	$11,927
2010	$10,040	$10,591
2009	$10,225	$10,880
2008	$9,457	$11,136
2007	$9,105	$9,418
2006	$8,377	$8,813
2005	$8,502	$8,647
2004	$8,365	$8,413
2003	$8,338	$8,886
2002	$7,636	$7,903
2001	$7,387	$7,301
2000	$6,965	$7,650
1999	$8,464	$7,340
1998	$9,348	$5,663
1997	$6,922	$6,040
1995	$5,117	$5,570
1992	$4,561	$4,725
1990	$4,464	$4,461

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Cherokee County Schools?

Cherokee County Schools manages 13 public schools serving 2,989 students.

What is the rank of Cherokee County Schools?

Cherokee County Schools is ranked #160 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County Schools?

83% of Cherokee County Schools students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 5% 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?

Cherokee County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.

What is Cherokee County Schools's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $15,488 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 13 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 2,989 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 17%
: 47% (Btm 50% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 50% (Top 50%)
: 50% (Btm 50%)
: 68% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education