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Limited Profile

Not enough data to generate a rating

Shepherd Academy

Elementary School

68 FAIRFAX DR, Murphy, NC 28906

Private

Enrollment

17

Student-Teacher

4.2:1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Shepherd Academy

Shepherd Academy is an Christian, no specific denomination private elementary school in Murphy, NC 28906. The school serves approximately 17 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 4.2:1. 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

With an enrollment of 17 students, Shepherd Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.2:1, Shepherd Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Shepherd Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$6,873
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$7,437
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.08x — Stable
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$9,579

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 17 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Shepherd Academy compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Murphy, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.2:1
This School
vs
12.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
17
This School
vs
222
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 100% vs 0%
Shepherd Academy Murphy Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Shepherd Academy (this school)
Murphy Elementary 7.2
Murphy Middle 6.3
Martins Creek Elementary/Mid 6.1
Tri-County Early College High 6.2
The Oaks Academy 5.4
Peachtree Elementary 9.2
Ranger Elementary/Middle 8.8
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle 7.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

School Profile

Limited Data
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
17 students
Type
Private · Christian, no specific denomination
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.2:1
Address
68 FAIRFAX DR, Murphy, NC 28906
Phone
(828) 644-4940
Data Year
SY 2021-22
Why doesn't this school have a score?

We don't have enough verified data to rate this school fairly. Private schools in NC aren't required to report standardized test scores to the state, which limits the data available for our rating model.

Our rating model requires at least 2 of 3 data components (academics, student progress, college readiness, and resources) to generate a meaningful score. Schools below this threshold receive a Limited Profile to avoid misleading ratings.

Learn more about our methodology →

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

68 FAIRFAX DR, Murphy, NC 28906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shepherd Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peachtree Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 5.9 miles away). Another option is Ranger Elementary/Middle (rated 8.8/10, 8.7 miles away). Additionally, Hayesville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Hayesville). For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.4 mi
School Distance Rating
MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy 0.6 mi
Murphy Elementary Murphy 1.4 mi 7.2
Murphy High Murphy 2.5 mi 6.6
Murphy Middle Murphy 2.6 mi 6.3
Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy 4.2 mi 6.1
The Oaks Academy Murphy 4.6 mi 5.4
Tri-County Early College High Murphy 4.6 mi 6.2
Peachtree Elementary Murphy 5.9 mi 9.2
Ranger Elementary/Middle Murphy 8.7 mi 8.8
Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle Murphy 10.1 mi 7.2
Hiwassee Dam High Murphy 10.1 mi 7.5
Union County Middle School Blairsville 14.7 mi 6.2
Union County High School Blairsville 14.7 mi 5.8
Union County Elementary School Blairsville 14.8 mi 7.0
Union County Primary School Blairsville 14.9 mi 6.2
MOUNTAIN AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morganton 15.0 mi 6.2
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville 13.1 mi 5.9
Hayesville Middle Hayesville 13.3 mi 8.7
Hayesville High Hayesville 13.4 mi 4.9
Hayesville Elementary Hayesville 13.4 mi 8.2

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 Shepherd Academy 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
ACADEMY AT NEW LIFE Hope Mills, NC
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville, NC
BLACK MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI Black Mtn, NC
BRIGHT YOUNG MINDS UNIVERSITY Fayetteville, NC
CALVARY CHAPEL ACADEMY Statesville, NC
CHARLOTTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charlotte, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shepherd Academy

What grades does Shepherd Academy serve?

Shepherd Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Shepherd Academy?

Shepherd Academy has an enrollment of approximately 17 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Academy is 4.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

Is Shepherd Academy a private school?

Yes, Shepherd Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Shepherd Academy a religious school?

Shepherd Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
17
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
CHEROKEE
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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