Average
#1227 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 46% in state
Murphy High
High School · Cherokee County Schools
234 High School Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murphy
#6 of 10
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#108 of 579
In district
#6 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Murphy High
Murphy High serves 433 students in grades 9-12 in Murphy, North Carolina, nestled in the remote rural mountains of Cherokee County. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 and 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention in a close-knit learning environment. Academically, Murphy High performs well above average, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #437 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.
Students demonstrate solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 55% scoring proficient or above, while mathematics shows 46% proficiency with opportunities for continued growth. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $49,426 and median home values reach $201,100. About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the local poverty rate stands at 13.6%, reflecting the economic diversity typical of rural Appalachian communities.
Located at 234 High School Circle, Murphy High sits in the heart of Cherokee County's mountainous terrain, where students benefit from small-town values and the natural beauty of western North Carolina's remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Murphy 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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Murphy High — Students at Murphy 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
99.3%
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
↑ 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: 7.4/10.
How Murphy High Compares
See how Murphy High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 50% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 55.8% (2025).
Location
234 High School Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murphy High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hiwassee Dam High (rated 7.5/10, 11.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Tri-County Early College High (rated 6.2/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Union County High School (rated 5.8/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 2.5 mi | — |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 3.1 mi | — |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 4.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 5.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 11.1 mi | 8.8 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 11.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy | 11.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 11.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 12.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville | 12.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville | 12.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Andrews High Andrews | 12.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Andrews Elementary Andrews | 12.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Union County High School Blairsville | 15.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 15.8 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 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 |
|---|---|
| East Carteret High Beaufort, NC | 6.6 |
| Elkin High Elkin, NC | 6.6 |
| Pamlico County High Bayboro, NC | 6.6 |
| Union County Early College Monroe, NC | 6.6 |
| Char Eng Early College-UNCC Charlotte, NC | 6.5 |
| Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve Trinity, NC | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murphy High
What grades does Murphy High serve?
Murphy High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Murphy High?
Murphy High has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murphy High?
The student-teacher ratio at Murphy High is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murphy High rank in NC?
Murphy High is ranked #1227 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Murphy High's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphy High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murphy High has 39.7% math proficiency and 54.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murphy High a charter school?
No, Murphy High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murphy High a Title I school?
No, Murphy High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murphy High?
99.3% of students at Murphy 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,250/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 433
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (828) 837-2426
- 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
- #6 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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