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Average

#1539 of 2,648 schools in NC

Martins Creek Elementary/mid

Elementary School · Cherokee County Schools

1459 Tobe Stalcup Road, Murphy, NC 28906

Enrollment

190

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Murphy

#9 of 10

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,086 of 1,474

In district

#9 of 13

Cherokee County Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Martins Creek Elementary/mid

Martins Creek Elementary/Mid is a regular public school located in Murphy, North Carolina, within Cherokee County. Situated on Tobe Stalcup Road, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of 190 students. The student-teacher ratio is 14.6:1, which allows for more individualized attention and support.

The academic performance at Martins Creek Elementary/Mid reflects areas where growth can occur; it currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1769 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina. In terms of standardized testing, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% are proficient or above in Math. The school is nestled in a remote rural area, offering a close-knit community feel where teachers and staff work closely with families to support each child's development.

Despite the challenges indicated by the current academic scores, Martins Creek Elementary/Mid continues to focus on nurturing its students within this supportive setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 190 students, Martins Creek Elementary/mid 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, Martins Creek Elementary/mid 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.8%
Math vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,950

Martins Creek Elementary/mid — Students at Martins Creek Elementary/mid score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.4%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 50.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
44.8%
ELA
51%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Martins Creek Elementary/mid Compares

See how Martins Creek Elementary/mid performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in NC
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

1459 Tobe Stalcup Road, Murphy, NC 28906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Martins Creek Elementary/mid may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peachtree Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ranger Elementary/Middle (rated 8.8/10, 9.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hayesville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Hayesville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy 4.2 mi
MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy 4.2 mi
The Oaks Academy Murphy 4.3 mi 5.4
Tri-County Early College High Murphy 4.3 mi 6.2
Murphy Elementary Murphy 4.9 mi 7.2
Murphy High Murphy 5.6 mi 6.6
Murphy Middle Murphy 5.6 mi 6.3
Peachtree Elementary Murphy 6.5 mi 9.2
Union County Middle School Blairsville 10.5 mi 6.2
Union County High School Blairsville 10.5 mi 5.8
Union County Elementary School Blairsville 10.5 mi 7.0
Union County Primary School Blairsville 10.7 mi 6.2
Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy 9.3 mi 8.8
MOUNTAIN AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morganton 12.7 mi 6.2
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville 11.5 mi 5.9
Hayesville Middle Hayesville 11.5 mi 8.7
Hayesville High Hayesville 11.6 mi 4.9
Hayesville Elementary Hayesville 11.6 mi 8.2
Hayesville Primary School Hayesville 11.8 mi 6.8
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy 12.9 mi 7.2

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 Martins Creek Elementary/mid 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
EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Southern Pines, NC 6.1
CHARLOTTE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 6.0
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ACADEMY Fayetteville, NC 6.0
Newland Elementary Newland, NC 6.0
OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem, NC 6.0
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary, NC 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Martins Creek Elementary/mid

What grades does Martins Creek Elementary/mid serve?

Martins Creek Elementary/mid serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Martins Creek Elementary/mid?

Martins Creek Elementary/mid has an enrollment of approximately 190 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Martins Creek Elementary/mid?

The student-teacher ratio at Martins Creek Elementary/mid is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Martins Creek Elementary/mid rank in NC?

Martins Creek Elementary/mid is ranked #1539 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Martins Creek Elementary/mid's MySchoolScout rating?

Martins Creek Elementary/mid has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Martins Creek Elementary/mid?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martins Creek Elementary/mid has 41.4% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Martins Creek Elementary/mid a charter school?

No, Martins Creek Elementary/mid is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Martins Creek Elementary/mid a Title I school?

No, Martins Creek Elementary/mid is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Martins Creek Elementary/mid?

98.4% of students at Martins Creek Elementary/mid qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,250/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cherokee County Schools
District Enrollment
3,108
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,303
District Rank
#9 of 13

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 methodology

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