Average
#1486 of 2,648 schools in NC
Ranger Elementary/middle
Elementary School · Cherokee County Schools
101 Hardy Truett Road, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,486 of 2,648
In Murphy
#6 of 10
public schools
In district
#7 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Ranger Elementary/middle
Elementary School in Murphy · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/middle
6.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hiwassee Dam High
6.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ranger Elementary/middle
Ranger Elementary/middle is a public elementary school in Murphy, NC, part of Cherokee County Schools. Ranger Elementary/middle serves approximately 277 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Ranger Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,486 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Ranger Elementary/middle show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Ranger Elementary/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.
31% of students at Ranger Elementary/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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ranger Elementary/middle — Students at Ranger Elementary/middle score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
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: 3.8/10.
How Ranger Elementary/middle Compares
See how Ranger Elementary/middle 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
101 Hardy Truett Road, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ranger Elementary/middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peachtree Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 14.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle (rated 8.7/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Copper Basin Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Copperhill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy | 6.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 6.5 mi | 6.9 |
| MOUNTAIN AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morganton | 9.4 mi | 6.2 |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 8.0 mi | — |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 8.7 mi | — |
| East Fannin Elementary School Morganton | 10.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 9.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 10.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Murphy High Murphy | 11.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Fannin County Middle School Blue Ridge | 12.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 11.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Copper Basin Elementary School Copperhill | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary School Blue Ridge | 13.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Copper Basin High School Copperhill | 11.7 mi | 8.4 |
| West Fannin Elementary School Blue Ridge | 12.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Fannin County High School Blue Ridge | 14.0 mi | 6.8 |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 12.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 12.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 14.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 16.1 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 |
|---|---|
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 6.0 |
| C. G. Credle Elementary Oxford, NC | 6.0 |
| Coker-Wimberly Elementary Battleboro, NC | 6.0 |
| FIRST IMPRESSIONS ACADEMY Fayetteville, NC | 6.0 |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville, NC | 6.0 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ranger Elementary/middle
What grades does Ranger Elementary/middle serve?
Ranger Elementary/middle serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Ranger Elementary/middle?
Ranger Elementary/middle has an enrollment of approximately 277 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ranger Elementary/middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Ranger Elementary/middle is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ranger Elementary/middle rank in NC?
Ranger Elementary/middle ranks #1,486 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Ranger Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Ranger Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Ranger Elementary/middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ranger Elementary/middle has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Ranger Elementary/middle a charter school?
No, Ranger Elementary/middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ranger Elementary/middle a Title I school?
No, Ranger Elementary/middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ranger Elementary/middle?
98.9% of students at Ranger Elementary/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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 277
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.0%
- Phone
- (828) 644-5111
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
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