Best Schools in Cherokee, North Carolina
3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High
Choosing a school in Cherokee?
Use this page to compare every school in Cherokee by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
How to read the page
Use these cues before treating a single rating as the whole decision.
Quality shifts by neighborhood
Schools just blocks apart can rate very differently — the map shows how ratings change across Cherokee.
Top-rated isn't always best value
The ranking flags schools that score higher than their students' poverty level predicts, and marks scores estimated from nearby data.
Your address sets your options
2 districts serve Cherokee; attendance zones decide which schools your child can enroll in.
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$144,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$144,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $52,221
- Median home value
- $144,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Cherokee compares
North Carolina rank
#2 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
above North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$52k
77% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
Cherokee's public schools split across 2 districts
No single ISD owns Cherokee. The public campuses divide among 2 districts.
The largest shares: Cherokee Central Elementary School (1), Cherokee Central High School (1).
- Cherokee Central Elementary School1 public · 50%
- Cherokee Central High School1 public · 50%
About Schools in Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee, North Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in Cherokee perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cherokee is Cherokee Central Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cherokee is served by 2 school districts: Cherokee Central Elementary School, Cherokee Central High School. These districts collectively serve 1,296 students.
Cherokee's community shows 14% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,221. The poverty rate in the area is 20.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 621 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | New Kituwah AcademyPrivate 58 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 675 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Cherokee
Cherokee, North Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,221
Median Home Value
$144,700
Median Rent
$673/mo
Population
6,577
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
75%
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Community Profile
Cherokee has a median household income of $52,221. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,700, with a median rent of $673/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Cherokee, North Carolina
How many schools are in Cherokee, North Carolina?
Cherokee has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cherokee, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cherokee is 7.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
How many school districts serve Cherokee, North Carolina?
Cherokee is served by 2 school districts: Cherokee Central Elementary School, Cherokee Central High School.
What is the education level in Cherokee, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in Cherokee have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cherokee, North Carolina?
The median household income in Cherokee is approximately $52,221 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cherokee, North Carolina?
Yes, Cherokee has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is New Kituwah Academy with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cherokee, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cherokee is 7.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cherokee, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.