Excellent
#387 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 15% in state
Based on limited data
Cherokee Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Cherokee Central Elementary School
PO Box 134, Cherokee, NC 28719
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#387 of 2,648
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Cherokee Central Elementary School
Elementary School in Cherokee · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cherokee Central High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Kituwah Academy
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cherokee Central Elementary School
Cherokee Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cherokee, NC, part of Cherokee Central Elementary School. Cherokee Central Elementary School serves approximately 621 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cherokee Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #387 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Based on limited data: 40% component coverage.
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 9.1:1 students to teachers, Cherokee Central Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Cherokee Central Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
42% of students at Cherokee Central Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Cherokee Central Elementary School Compares
See how Cherokee Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 134, Cherokee, NC 28719
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cherokee Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Fairview School (rated 5.8/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Sylva), a more accessible option. Additionally, Swain County East Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Bryson City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cherokee, see our Cherokee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 0.0 mi | — |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 6.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 6.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 9.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 10.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 10.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 10.3 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 10.6 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 10.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 11.1 mi | 4.3 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 12.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 12.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 12.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 12.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 11.3 mi | — |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 13.8 mi | 5.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 16.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 16.5 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28719 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
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%
Median Age
38
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington, NC | 8.1 |
| Catawba Springs Elementary Denver, NC | 8.1 |
| Clemmons Elementary Clemmons, NC | 8.1 |
| Deep River Elementary Sanford, NC | 8.1 |
| Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro, NC | 8.1 |
| Elon Park Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cherokee Central Elementary School
What grades does Cherokee Central Elementary School serve?
Cherokee Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cherokee Central Elementary School?
Cherokee Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 621 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Central Elementary School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cherokee Central Elementary School rank in NC?
Cherokee Central Elementary School ranks #387 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cherokee Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cherokee Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Cherokee Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cherokee Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cherokee Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cherokee Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cherokee Central Elementary School?
99.5% of students at Cherokee Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 4 Car-Dependent
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 621
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.2%
- Phone
- (828) 554-5020
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee Central Elementary School- District Enrollment
- 621
- Schools in District
- 1
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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