Excellent
#105 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 4% in state
Ranger Elementary/middle
Elementary School · Cherokee County Schools
101 Hardy Truett Road, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murphy
#2 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#93 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Ranger Elementary/middle
Ranger Elementary/middle is a public elementary school in Murphy, NC, part of the Cherokee County Schools. The school serves approximately 277 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.1th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 5 points below the state average and 47% in reading/language arts, 6 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $52,669, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ranger Elementary/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
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Ranger Elementary/middle — Students at Ranger Elementary/middle score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 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: 8.9/10.
How Ranger Elementary/middle Compares
See how Ranger Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 64.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 48% (2025).
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 9.2/10, 14.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is East Fannin Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Morganton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle (rated 7.2/10, 6.5 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.2 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy | 6.5 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 9.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 10.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Murphy High Murphy | 11.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Fannin County Middle School Blue Ridge | 12.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 11.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Copper Basin Elementary School Copperhill | 11.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary School Blue Ridge | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Copper Basin High School Copperhill | 11.7 mi | 7.6 |
| West Fannin Elementary School Blue Ridge | 12.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Fannin County High School Blue Ridge | 14.0 mi | 6.0 |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 12.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 12.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 14.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 16.1 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 Ranger Elementary/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 |
|---|---|
| B O Barnes Elementary Wilson, NC | 8.8 |
| Eastover Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.8 |
| Kirkman Park Elementary High Point, NC | 8.8 |
| Laurel Mill Elementary Louisburg, NC | 8.8 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham, NC | 8.8 |
| Mt Ulla Elementary Mount Ulla, NC | 8.8 |
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 is ranked #105 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Ranger Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Ranger Elementary/middle has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Ranger Elementary/middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ranger Elementary/middle has 54.7% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 644-5111
- 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
- #2 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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