Excellent
#372 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 14% 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
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#336 of 1,474
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Cherokee Central Elementary School
Cherokee Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Cherokee, North Carolina. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 621 students and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 with 68 full-time equivalent teachers. While academic performance data is not available to provide specific test scores or rankings, the school community focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its students.
Cherokee Central Elementary School is situated in a close-knit rural area where it plays an important role as one of the primary educational institutions. The school's dedication to student development and personalized attention from teachers helps foster a strong sense of community among its pupils.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Cherokee Central Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Cherokee Central Elementary School 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
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. Fairview School (rated 6.9/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Sylva), a more accessible option. Another option is Scotts Creek School (rated 6.2/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Sylva), a more accessible option. Additionally, NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away), 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 | 4.9 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 6.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 9.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 10.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 10.0 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 11.1 mi | 4.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 12.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 12.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 12.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 12.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 12.3 mi | 6.9 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 11.3 mi | — |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 13.8 mi | 6.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 16.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 16.5 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cherokee Central Elementary School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Coopers Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.2 |
| Cornelius Elementary Cornelius, NC | 8.2 |
| Creech Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.2 |
| Creekside Elementary Winterville, NC | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #372 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cherokee Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cherokee Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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.
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
- 0 Car-Dependent
- County Safety
- Elevated (910/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 554-5020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee Central Elementary School- District Enrollment
- 621
- Schools in District
- 1
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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