Very Good
#892 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 34% in state
Murphy Elementary
Elementary School · Cherokee County Schools
315 Valley River Avenue, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#892 of 2,648
In Murphy
#4 of 10
public schools
In district
#4 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Murphy Elementary
Elementary School in Murphy · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Murphy High
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Murphy Middle
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Murphy Elementary
Murphy Elementary is a public elementary school in Murphy, NC, part of Cherokee County Schools. Murphy Elementary serves approximately 516 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Murphy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #892 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Murphy Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Murphy Elementary 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
Murphy Elementary — Students at Murphy Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 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: 6.2/10.
How Murphy Elementary Compares
See how Murphy Elementary 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
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 9.0/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle (rated 8.7/10, 10.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hayesville Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Hayesville), which scores notably 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 | 5.6 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 1.4 mi | — |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 2.0 mi | — |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 4.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 4.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 10.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy | 10.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 11.0 mi | 6.9 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 12.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 12.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville | 12.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville | 12.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 12.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 15.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Union County High School Blairsville | 15.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Union County Elementary School Blairsville | 15.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Union County Primary School Blairsville | 15.5 mi | 6.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Cary Elementary Cary, NC | 7.1 |
| Diggs-Latham Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.1 |
| Hemby Bridge Elementary Indian Trail, NC | 7.1 |
| Hobbton Elementary Newton Grove, NC | 7.1 |
| Langdon C Kerr Elementary Clinton, NC | 7.1 |
| Nags Head Elementary School Nags Head, NC | 7.1 |
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 ranks #892 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Murphy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Murphy Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Murphy Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.7%
- Phone
- (828) 837-2424
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,108
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,303
- District Rank
- #4 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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