Cherokee County Schools School District
School District · Murphy, North Carolina
Avg Rating
6.6
out of 10
Schools
13
6 elem, 2 mid, 5 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,303
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Avg Rating
6.6
out of 10
Schools
13
6 elem, 2 mid, 5 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,303
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Evaluating Cherokee County Schools?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Cherokee County Schools as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Peachtree Elementary
Murphy · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle
Murphy · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Tri-county Early College High
Murphy · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
North Carolina rank
#40 of 116
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.3
above North Carolina avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,303
+$1,191 vs North Carolina median
District size
3,108 students
Smaller than North Carolina median
The short answer
Cherokee County Schools ranks #40 of 116 North Carolina districts by overall school rating. Cherokee County Schools's schools with real test data average 6.6/10 across 13 schools. Its top-rated schools are Peachtree Elementary (9.0/10), Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle (8.7/10), and Tri-county Early College High (7.8/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Cherokee County Schools
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (13 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peachtree Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Tri-county Early College High | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Murphy Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Hiwassee Dam High | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Andrews High | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Ranger Elementary/middle | 6.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Andrews Middle | 6.0 / 10 |
| 9 | The Oaks Academy | 6.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Murphy Middle | 5.7 / 10 |
See all 13 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Cherokee County Schools
Cherokee County Schools is a Murphy, North Carolina school district serving 13 schools. The district educates 3,108 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. The district invests $14,303 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.6/10, Cherokee County Schools demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Peachtree Elementary, which has a composite score of 9.0/10.
In standardized testing, Cherokee County Schools students show an average math proficiency of 50.3% and ELA proficiency of 54.1%.
The district includes 6 elementary schools , 2 middle schools , and 5 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Cherokee County Schools, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Cherokee County Schools with test data.
Schools in Cherokee County Schools
13 schools Elementary Schools 6
Middle Schools 2
District Details
- State
- North Carolina
- City
- Murphy
- Total Enrollment
- 3,108
- Teachers (FTE)
- 235
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Cherokee County Schools?
Cherokee County Schools has 13 schools in total — 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 5 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Cherokee County Schools?
The average composite rating for Cherokee County Schools is 6.6/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Cherokee County Schools?
Cherokee County Schools spends $14,303 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cherokee County Schools?
The average student-teacher ratio in Cherokee County Schools is 13.2:1.
What is the top-rated school in Cherokee County Schools?
Peachtree Elementary is the highest-rated school in Cherokee County Schools with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What are the test scores in Cherokee County Schools?
Across schools in Cherokee County Schools with test data, the average math proficiency is 50.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 54.1%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Cherokee County Schools compare to other districts in North Carolina?
Cherokee County Schools has an average school rating of 6.6/10 across 13 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in North Carolina by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.6/10
- Math Proficiency
- 50.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 54.1%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in NC
Compare Cherokee County Schools with neighboring districts in the state.
- Wake County Schools (197)
- Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools (184)
- Guilford County Schools (124)
- Cumberland County Schools (86)
- Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools (81)
- Durham Public Schools (56)
- Gaston County Schools (56)
- Union County Public Schools (52)
- Johnston County Public Schools (48)
- Buncombe County Schools (45)
- Cabarrus County Schools (44)
- New Hanover County Schools (42)
- Pitt County Schools (40)
- Onslow County Schools (39)
- Alamance-burlington Schools (38)
- Iredell-statesville Schools (38)
- Public Schools of Robeson County (37)
- Davidson County Schools (35)
- Wayne County Public Schools (33)
- Randolph County School System (32)
- Rowan-salisbury Schools (32)
- Harnett County Schools (29)
- Catawba County Schools (28)
- Cleveland County Schools (28)
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.
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