Excellent
#92 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Cartoogechaye Elementary
Elementary School · Macon County Schools
3295 Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Franklin
#1 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#80 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 12
Macon County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Cartoogechaye Elementary
Cartoogechaye Elementary is a public elementary school in Franklin, NC, part of the Macon County Schools. The school serves approximately 332 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 96.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 54% proficiency in math, 6 points below the state average and 56% in reading/language arts, 3 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,221, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cartoogechaye Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Cartoogechaye Elementary — Students at Cartoogechaye Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How Cartoogechaye Elementary Compares
See how Cartoogechaye Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 63.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 56.3% (2025).
Location
3295 Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cartoogechaye Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is East Franklin Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Franklin, see our Franklin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 3.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin | 4.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Macon Virtual Academy Franklin | 4.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 4.4 mi | 8.3 |
| South Macon Elementary Franklin | 4.3 mi | 6.8 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 4.3 mi | — |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 4.5 mi | 5.8 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 10.6 mi | 6.2 |
| RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap | 13.3 mi | 6.4 |
| RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap | 14.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 12.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 15.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 17.1 mi | 4.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 17.5 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 17.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 17.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28734 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,221
Median Home Value
$203,700
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
29,158
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
48.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cartoogechaye Elementary has a median household income of $50,221. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville, NC | 8.9 |
| Harris Elementary School Forest City, NC | 8.9 |
| Iron Station Elementary Iron Station, NC | 8.9 |
| Jamesville Elementary Jamesville, NC | 8.9 |
| Micro Elementary Micro, NC | 8.9 |
| New Market Elementary School Sophia, NC | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cartoogechaye Elementary
What grades does Cartoogechaye Elementary serve?
Cartoogechaye Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Cartoogechaye Elementary?
Cartoogechaye Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 332 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cartoogechaye Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cartoogechaye Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cartoogechaye Elementary rank in NC?
Cartoogechaye Elementary is ranked #92 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cartoogechaye Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cartoogechaye Elementary has a composite rating of 8.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cartoogechaye Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cartoogechaye Elementary has 53.9% math proficiency and 55.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cartoogechaye Elementary a charter school?
No, Cartoogechaye Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cartoogechaye Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cartoogechaye Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cartoogechaye Elementary?
99.1% of students at Cartoogechaye Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Franklin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 332
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (828) 524-2845
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Macon County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,460
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,238
- District Rank
- #1 of 12
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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