Limited Profile
Not enough data to generate a rating
Shepherd Academy
Elementary School
68 FAIRFAX DR, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
17
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
17
Student-Teacher
4.2:1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Shepherd Academy compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Murphy, NC
Student Demographics
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.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 644-4940
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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