Excellent
#145 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle
Elementary School · Cherokee County Schools
337 Blue Eagle Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#145 of 2,648
In Murphy
#2 of 10
public schools
In district
#2 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle
Elementary School in Murphy · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hiwassee Dam High
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ranger Elementary/middle
6.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle is a public elementary school in Murphy, NC, part of Cherokee County Schools. Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle serves approximately 121 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #145 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 121 students, Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle — Students at Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle Compares
See how Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
337 Blue Eagle Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Copper Basin Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Copperhill), a more accessible option. Another option is Murphy Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 10.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Fannin Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Blue Ridge), a more accessible option. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 0.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 6.5 mi | 6.0 |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 9.6 mi | — |
| Coker Creek Elementary Tellico Plains | 11.5 mi | 5.4 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 10.1 mi | — |
| Copper Basin Elementary School Copperhill | 10.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Copper Basin High School Copperhill | 11.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 10.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Murphy High Murphy | 11.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 11.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 12.9 mi | 4.8 |
| East Fannin Elementary School Morganton | 15.4 mi | 6.4 |
| MOUNTAIN AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morganton | 15.7 mi | 6.2 |
| West Fannin Elementary School Blue Ridge | 15.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Fannin County Middle School Blue Ridge | 16.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary School Blue Ridge | 17.2 mi | 6.4 |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 14.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 14.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Rural Vale Elementary Tellico Plains | 17.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Fannin County High School Blue Ridge | 18.3 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,669
Median Home Value
$219,800
Median Rent
$872/mo
Population
19,712
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
56.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Comfort Elementary Comfort, NC | 8.8 |
| Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.5 |
| Atlantic Elementary Atlantic, NC | 8.9 |
| RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville, NC | 8.4 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy, NC | 9.0 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville, NC | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle
What grades does Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle serve?
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle?
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle rank in NC?
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle ranks #145 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle a charter school?
No, Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle a Title I school?
No, Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle?
97.5% of students at Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 121
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.0%
- Phone
- (828) 644-5115
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,108
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,303
- District Rank
- #2 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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