Average
#468 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 40% in state
Cherokee Charter Academy
Elementary School · Charter Institute at Erskine
3206 Cherokee Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaffney
#1 of 11
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#279 of 680
In district
#9 of 23
Charter Institute at Erskine
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Cherokee Charter Academy
Cherokee Charter Academy is a charter school located in Gaffney, South Carolina, within Cherokee County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a comprehensive education program to its 516 enrolled students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 and 44 full-time equivalent teachers, Cherokee Charter Academy provides individualized attention and support for each child's learning needs.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.7 out of 10, placing it in the 33rd percentile among South Carolina schools based on state rankings. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 45% in ELA/Reading and 38% in Math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate room for improvement, Cherokee Charter Academy is committed to fostering student development and academic growth.
Set in a rural area near the town of Gaffney, the school benefits from a close-knit community that supports its educational endeavors.
What Parents Should Know
Cherokee Charter Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Cherokee Charter Academy 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
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Cherokee Charter Academy — Students at Cherokee Charter Academy score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 3 test records from SC 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: 8.4/10.
How Cherokee Charter Academy Compares
See how Cherokee Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2021) to 38% (2022).
Location
3206 Cherokee Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cherokee Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grover Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Grover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blacksburg Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Blacksburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gaffney, see our Gaffney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Gaffney Middle Gaffney | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Draytonville Elementary Gaffney | 3.2 mi | 4.1 |
| B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney | 3.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Limestone-Central Elementary Gaffney | 4.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Gaffney High Gaffney | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney | 5.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney | 5.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg | 5.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Blacksburg High Blacksburg | 5.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg | 7.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 10.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Northwest Elementary Gaffney | 9.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 11.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 11.1 mi | 8.2 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 13.1 mi | 9.1 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 13.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 13.3 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29340 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,359
Median Home Value
$110,000
Median Rent
$773/mo
Population
21,394
College Educated
11.6%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
22.9%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cherokee Charter Academy has a median household income of $42,359. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,000, with a median rent of $773/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Chicora Elementary North Charleston, SC | 6.8 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia, SC | 6.8 |
| James H. Hendrix Elementary Boiling Springs, SC | 6.8 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter, SC | 6.8 |
| Mayo Elementary Mayo, SC | 6.8 |
| Millbrook Elementary Aiken, SC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cherokee Charter Academy
What grades does Cherokee Charter Academy serve?
Cherokee Charter Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cherokee Charter Academy?
Cherokee Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Charter Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Charter Academy is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cherokee Charter Academy rank in SC?
Cherokee Charter Academy is ranked #468 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Cherokee Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cherokee Charter Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Cherokee Charter Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Charter Academy has 37.5% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cherokee Charter Academy a charter school?
Yes, Cherokee Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Cherokee Charter Academy a Title I school?
No, Cherokee Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cherokee Charter Academy?
99.4% of students at Cherokee Charter Academy 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
- City Safety
- High (4,436/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaffney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 516
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (864) 489-7198
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charter Institute at Erskine- District Enrollment
- 25,146
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,062
- District Rank
- #9 of 23
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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