Average
#1415 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
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murphy
#7 of 10
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#205 of 475
In district
#7 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Murphy Middle
Murphy Middle, located in the rural community of Murphy, North Carolina, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 297 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive academically. The dedicated staff includes 19 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Murphy Middle has a score of 4.8 out of 10 and is ranked at #1684 among North Carolina's 2661 schools, placing it in the 37th percentile overall. Academically, the school shows that 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 45% meet these standards in Math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and improvement.
While the neighborhood data around Murphy Middle isn't available, the school's setting in a remote rural area provides a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between students, teachers, and parents.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Murphy Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Murphy Middle — Students at Murphy Middle score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
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
→ 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: 4.3/10.
How Murphy Middle Compares
See how Murphy Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 45.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 56.5% (2025).
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 8.7/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Hayesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union County Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.6 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 2.6 mi | — |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 3.2 mi | — |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 4.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 5.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy | 11.2 mi | 8.8 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 11.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 11.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy | 11.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville | 12.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville | 12.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 11.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Andrews High Andrews | 12.6 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Brown Summit Middle Browns Summit, NC | 6.3 |
| Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton, NC | 6.3 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden, NC | 6.3 |
| Wadesboro Elementary Wadesboro, NC | 6.3 |
| Welborn Middle High Point, NC | 6.3 |
| Chowan Middle Tyner, NC | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1415 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Murphy Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphy Middle has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murphy Middle has 45.1% math proficiency and 54.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (828) 837-0160
- 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
- #7 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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