Home > North Carolina > Cherokee County

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 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 2,049 students in Cherokee County Schools. This district's average elementary is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.

Public Elementary Schools in Cherokee County Schools have an score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and score of 48% (versus the 49% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

13 Schools

2,149 Schools

# Students

2,989 Students

1,095,543 Students

# Teachers

203 Teachers

71,743 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	75
Kind	208	315
1	203	325
2	227	331
3	231	341
4	197	325
5	199	333
6	215	333
7	219	325
8	219	327
9	6	35
10	14	31
11	10	28
12	2	24

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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

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

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(21-22)

50%

51%

View Data

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%

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50%

View Data

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%

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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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(21-22)

91%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
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%

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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

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	0.68
2019	0.27	0.68
2018	0.22	0.67
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	0.58
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	0.52
1998	0.09	0.52
1997	0.10	0.50
1996	0.10	0.50
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

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
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%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	2%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	2%	2%
1998	2%	2%
1997	2%	2%
1996	3%	2%
1995	2%	2%
1994	3%	2%
1993	3%	2%
1992	4%	2%
1991	3%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	1%	4%
2020	1%	3%
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%

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% Hispanic

22%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	7%	20%
2022	7%	20%
2021	7%	19%
2020	7%	18%
2019	7%	18%
2018	6%	17%
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

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	2%	25%
2022	2%	25%
2021	2%	25%
2020	2%	25%
2019	2%	25%
2018	1%	26%
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%	32%
2005	3%	31%
2004	3%	31%
2003	3%	31%
2002	3%	31%
2001	3%	31%
2000	2%	31%
1999	2%	31%
1998	2%	30%
1997	2%	31%
1996	2%	31%
1995	2%	30%
1994	2%	30%
1993	2%	30%
1992	2%	30%
1991	3%	30%

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% White

83%

42%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	84%	44%
2022	85%	45%
2021	86%	46%
2020	85%	48%
2019	85%	48%
2018	88%	49%
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%	56%
2005	93%	57%
2004	94%	58%
2003	93%	59%
2002	93%	60%
2001	94%	61%
2000	96%	61%
1999	95%	62%
1998	95%	63%
1997	95%	64%
1996	95%	64%
1995	95%	65%
1994	93%	66%
1993	94%	66%
1992	93%	66%
1991	94%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

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

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,450 is higher than the state median of $11,170. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,049 is higher than the state median of $11,594. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$40 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$40 MM	$8 MM
2022	$40 MM	$8 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

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Spending

$39 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$39 MM	$8 MM
2022	$40 MM	$8 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

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Revenue / Student

$13,450

$11,170

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$12,791	$10,093
2022	$12,552	$9,918
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

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Spending / Student

$13,049

$11,594

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Cherokee County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$12,409	$9,807
2022	$12,571	$9,654
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

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Best Cherokee County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Peachtree Elementary School

(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

30 Upper Peachtree Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2479

Gr: PK-5 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Rank: #22.

Hiwassee Dam Middle School

(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

337 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115

Gr: 6-8 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Rank: #33.

Murphy Middle School

(Math: 48% | Reading: 57%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

65 Middle School Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-0160

Gr: 6-8 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%

Rank: #44.

Andrews Middle School

(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

2750 Business Hwy 19
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5762

Gr: 6-8 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%

Rank: #55.

Murphy Elementary School

(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

315 Valley River Avenue
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2424

Gr: PK-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #66.

Ranger Elementary School

(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

101 Hardy Truett Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111

Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Rank: #77.

Martins Creek Elementary School

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1459 Tobe Stalcup Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831

Gr: PK-5 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Rank: #88.

Andrews Elementary School

(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

205 Jean Christy Ave.
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-4415

Gr: PK-5 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%

Rank: #99.

The Oaks Academy

Alternative School

(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

The Oaks Academy, 4700 East Us
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775

Gr: 6-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 13 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 2,989 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 17%
: 91% (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