Very Good
#708 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Hiwassee Dam High
High School · Cherokee County Schools
267 Blue Eagle Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murphy
#3 of 10
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#37 of 579
In district
#3 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Hiwassee Dam High
Hiwassee Dam High is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Murphy, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 141 and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.1:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 48th percentile among North Carolina schools.
Academically, Hiwassee Dam High has room for improvement, with a score of 5.4/10 in academic performance metrics. In English Language Arts and Reading, 56% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 35% meet proficiency standards. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to student development and continuous improvement.
Hiwassee Dam High stands as a community anchor in its remote rural setting, providing essential educational services for local youth within Cherokee County.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 141 students, Hiwassee Dam High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Hiwassee Dam High 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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Hiwassee Dam High — Students at Hiwassee Dam High score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How Hiwassee Dam High Compares
See how Hiwassee Dam High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 36.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 70% (2025).
Location
267 Blue Eagle Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hiwassee Dam High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Copper Basin High School (rated 7.6/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Copperhill), with a very similar rating. Another option is Murphy High (rated 6.6/10, 11.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Tri-County Early College High (rated 6.2/10, 14.7 miles away), 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 Elementary/Middle Murphy | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 6.5 mi | 8.8 |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 9.6 mi | — |
| Coker Creek Elementary Tellico Plains | 11.4 mi | 4.6 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 10.1 mi | — |
| Copper Basin Elementary School Copperhill | 10.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Copper Basin High School Copperhill | 11.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Murphy High Murphy | 11.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 11.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 13.0 mi | 6.1 |
| East Fannin Elementary School Morganton | 15.4 mi | 7.4 |
| MOUNTAIN AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morganton | 15.8 mi | 6.2 |
| West Fannin Elementary School Blue Ridge | 15.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Fannin County Middle School Blue Ridge | 16.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary School Blue Ridge | 17.3 mi | 5.6 |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 14.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 14.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Rural Vale Elementary Tellico Plains | 17.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Fannin County High School Blue Ridge | 18.3 mi | 6.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hiwassee Dam High has a median household income of $52,669. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,800, with a median rent of $872/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Bladen Early College Dublin, NC | 7.5 |
| COMBINE ACADEMY Lincolnton, NC | 7.5 |
| Merancas Middle College-CPCC Huntersville, NC | 7.5 |
| Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle, NC | 7.5 |
| Bertie Early College High Windsor, NC | 7.6 |
| Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College Elizabeth City, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hiwassee Dam High
What grades does Hiwassee Dam High serve?
Hiwassee Dam High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Hiwassee Dam High?
Hiwassee Dam High has an enrollment of approximately 141 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hiwassee Dam High?
The student-teacher ratio at Hiwassee Dam High is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hiwassee Dam High rank in NC?
Hiwassee Dam High is ranked #708 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hiwassee Dam High's MySchoolScout rating?
Hiwassee Dam High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Hiwassee Dam High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hiwassee Dam High has 35.3% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hiwassee Dam High a charter school?
No, Hiwassee Dam High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hiwassee Dam High a Title I school?
No, Hiwassee Dam High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hiwassee Dam High?
97.9% of students at Hiwassee Dam High 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 141
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (828) 644-5115
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,108
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,303
- District Rank
- #3 of 13
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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