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Excellent

#78 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 7% in state

Cherokee Charter Academy

Elementary School · Charter Institute at Erskine

3206 Cherokee Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340

Charter

Enrollment

516

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#78 of 1,176

In Gaffney

#1 of 11

public schools

In district

#6 of 23

Charter Institute at Erskine

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Cherokee Charter Academy

8.4/10

Elementary School in Gaffney · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John E. Ewing Middle

4.0/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gaffney Middle

5.7/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cherokee Charter Academy

Cherokee Charter Academy is a public elementary school in Gaffney, SC, part of Charter Institute at Erskine. Cherokee Charter Academy serves approximately 516 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Cherokee Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #78 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Cherokee Charter Academy show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.2
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Cherokee Charter Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Cherokee Charter Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.55 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,062
Chronic Absenteeism26.7%

Cherokee Charter Academy — Students at Cherokee Charter Academy score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.3% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.0% (2022 EdFacts)
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2020*
Math
37%
2021*
Math
37%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
45%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Cherokee Charter Academy Compares

See how Cherokee Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
94th percentile in SC
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

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 8.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Shelby), with a very similar rating. Another option is Grover Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Grover), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Corinth Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 5.3 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.0
Gaffney Middle Gaffney 2.2 mi 5.7
Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney 2.5 mi 4.1
Draytonville Elementary Gaffney 3.2 mi 5.6
B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney 3.3 mi 3.2
Limestone-Central Elementary Gaffney 4.3 mi 4.6
Gaffney High Gaffney 4.5 mi 6.2
Corinth Elementary Gaffney 5.3 mi 6.5
Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney 5.3 mi 6.4
Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg 5.5 mi 5.7
Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg 5.6 mi 5.0
Blacksburg High Blacksburg 5.7 mi 7.5
Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg 7.4 mi 5.2
Township Three Elementary Shelby 10.5 mi 4.5
Northwest Elementary Gaffney 9.2 mi 6.1
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby 11.5 mi 8.2
Grover Elementary Grover 11.1 mi 7.6
North Shelby Shelby 13.1 mi 6.5
James Love Elementary Shelby 13.2 mi 4.7
Shelby Middle Shelby 13.3 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary Charleston, SC 8.4
Augusta Circle Elementary Greenville, SC 8.4
North Pointe Elementary Anderson, SC 8.4
Orchard Park Elementary Fort Mill, SC 8.4
Shoally Creek Elementary Boiling Springs, SC 8.4
Stone Academy Greenville, SC 8.4

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 ranks #78 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Cherokee Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Cherokee Charter Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cherokee Charter Academy has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

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