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Average

#1651 of 2,648 schools in NC

Murphy Middle

Middle School · Cherokee County Schools

65 Middle School Drive, Murphy, NC 28906

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,651 of 2,648

In Murphy

#8 of 10

public schools

In district

#10 of 13

Cherokee County Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Murphy Middle

5.7/10

Middle School in Murphy · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Murphy High

5.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Murphy Elementary

7.1/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Murphy Middle

Murphy Middle is a public middle school in Murphy, NC, part of Cherokee County Schools. Murphy Middle serves approximately 297 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Murphy Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,651 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Murphy Middle show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Murphy Middle 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.

50% of students at Murphy Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,303
Chronic Absenteeism49.8%

Murphy Middle — Students at Murphy Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
48.8%
ELA
55.3%
2025
Math
45.4%
ELA
56.4%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Murphy Middle Compares

See how Murphy Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in NC
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

65 Middle School Drive, Murphy, NC 28906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Murphy Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hayesville Middle (rated 7.3/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Hayesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union County Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Murphy High Murphy 0.1 mi 5.6
Murphy Elementary Murphy 1.1 mi 7.1
SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy 2.6 mi
MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy 3.2 mi
The Oaks Academy Murphy 3.6 mi 6.0
Tri-County Early College High Murphy 3.6 mi 7.8
Peachtree Elementary Murphy 4.0 mi 9.0
Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy 5.6 mi 4.8
Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy 11.2 mi 6.0
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville 11.6 mi 5.9
Hayesville Middle Hayesville 11.9 mi 7.3
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy 11.8 mi 8.7
Hayesville High Hayesville 12.0 mi 6.6
Hayesville Elementary Hayesville 12.0 mi 8.3
Hiwassee Dam High Murphy 11.8 mi 6.9
Hayesville Primary School Hayesville 12.2 mi 6.9
Andrews High Andrews 12.6 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
Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton, NC 5.7
W A Pattillo Middle Tarboro, NC 5.8
Cane River Middle Burnsville, NC 5.6
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville, NC 5.6
Rosewood Middle Goldsboro, NC 5.6
Speight Middle Stantonsburg, NC 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Murphy Middle

What grades does Murphy Middle serve?

Murphy Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Murphy Middle?

Murphy Middle has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Murphy Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Murphy Middle is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Murphy Middle rank in NC?

Murphy Middle ranks #1,651 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Murphy Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Murphy Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Murphy Middle has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Murphy Middle a charter school?

No, Murphy Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Murphy Middle a Title I school?

No, Murphy Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murphy Middle?

99.0% of students at Murphy Middle 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

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cherokee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.8%

District

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

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