Average
#1706 of 2,648 schools in NC
Murphy High
High School · Cherokee County Schools
234 High School Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,706 of 2,648
In Murphy
#9 of 10
public schools
In district
#11 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Murphy High
High School in Murphy · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Murphy Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Murphy Elementary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Murphy High
Murphy High is a public high school in Murphy, NC, part of Cherokee County Schools. Murphy High serves approximately 433 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Murphy High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,706 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Murphy High show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Murphy High 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.
59% of students at Murphy High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Murphy High — Students at Murphy High score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 28 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: 3.8/10.
How Murphy High Compares
See how Murphy High 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
234 High School Circle, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murphy High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tri-County Early College High (rated 7.8/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union County High School (rated 7.2/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hiwassee Dam High (rated 6.9/10, 11.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.7 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 2.5 mi | — |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 3.1 mi | — |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 4.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 5.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 11.1 mi | 6.0 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 11.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy | 11.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 11.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 12.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville | 12.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville | 12.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 12.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Andrews High Andrews | 12.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Andrews Elementary Andrews | 12.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Union County High School Blairsville | 15.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 15.8 mi | 6.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Wilmington, NC | 5.6 |
| Hertford County High Ahoskie, NC | 5.6 |
| Northwest Halifax Collegiate and Technic Littleton, NC | 5.5 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford, NC | 5.7 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville, NC | 5.7 |
| Perquimans County High Hertford, NC | 5.7 |
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 ranks #1,706 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Murphy High's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphy High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Murphy High has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 59.4%
- Phone
- (828) 837-2426
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,108
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,303
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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