Very Good
#886 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 33% in state
Murphy Elementary
Elementary School · Cherokee County Schools
315 Valley River Avenue, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murphy
#5 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#724 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Murphy Elementary
Murphy Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Murphy, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 516 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, Murphy Elementary offers personalized attention to its young learners from pre-K through fifth grade. The school has 40 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting students' educational journey.
Academically, Murphy Elementary holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks at the 55th percentile among North Carolina schools. Students perform around average in reading and math, with 52% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 53% proficient or above in Math across all grade levels. These scores indicate that while there is room for growth, Murphy Elementary focuses on nurturing a strong educational foundation for its students.
Murphy Elementary's setting in a remote rural area offers a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and families work together to provide the best possible learning environment for children.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Murphy Elementary 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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Murphy Elementary — Students at Murphy Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.0/10.
How Murphy Elementary Compares
See how Murphy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 56.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 53% (2025).
Location
315 Valley River Avenue, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murphy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peachtree Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ranger Elementary/Middle (rated 8.8/10, 10.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hayesville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Hayesville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Murphy High Murphy | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 1.4 mi | — |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 2.0 mi | — |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 3.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 4.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 4.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 10.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy | 10.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 11.0 mi | 7.5 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 12.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 12.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville | 12.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville | 12.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 12.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 15.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Union County High School Blairsville | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Union County Elementary School Blairsville | 15.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Union County Primary School Blairsville | 15.5 mi | 6.2 |
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 Murphy Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Academy Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.2 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC | 7.2 |
| Charles England Elementary School Lexington, NC | 7.2 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton, NC | 7.2 |
| Eastern Wayne Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murphy Elementary
What grades does Murphy Elementary serve?
Murphy Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Murphy Elementary?
Murphy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murphy Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Murphy Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murphy Elementary rank in NC?
Murphy Elementary is ranked #886 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Murphy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphy Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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.
What are the test scores at Murphy Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murphy Elementary has 53.4% math proficiency and 51.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murphy Elementary a charter school?
No, Murphy Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murphy Elementary a Title I school?
No, Murphy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murphy Elementary?
99.4% of students at Murphy Elementary 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 516
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (828) 837-2424
- 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
- #5 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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