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C+

Cherokee County Schools

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 2 towns

Serves Andrews and Murphy.

Students

2,992

Schools

13

Spent per student

$14,347

NC $13,045

Students per teacher

15:1

Free or reduced lunch

98%

Debt

$0.1M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about Cherokee County Schools

School Grade C+: better than 35% of North Carolina districts
Graduation rate (4-year) 12 pts below the state
Spends 10% more per student than the NC average
15 students per teacher
Debt of $0.1M, about $43 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Murphy.

PK–5Murphy ElementaryThis district

6–83 middle schoolsThis district

Test scores vs. NC

2020–21

Math proficiency42%

State average 41.9%

Reading / language arts47%

State average 47.2%

Graduation rate (4-year)76%

State average 87.7%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$14,347 per student · 10% above NC

Spending

Classroom instruction 59%Support & administration 32%Other 9%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 18%State 62%Federal 20%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

2,953’20

2,944’21

3,146’22

3,108’23

2,992’24

About steady.

Students

White 83%Hispanic 8%Two or more races 6%Black 2%Asian <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

Schools in the district

13 public schools.

Murphy Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Murphy

467 students12:1

Andrews Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Andrews

330 students14:1

Ranger Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Murphy

264 students13:1

Peachtree Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Murphy

166 students12:1

Martins Creek Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Murphy

137 students15:1

Murphy Middle

Middle · Grades 6–8 · Murphy

353 students15:1

Andrews Middle

Middle · Grades 6–8 · Andrews

167 students13:1

Hiwassee Dam Middle

Middle · Grades 6–8 · Murphy

122 students14:1

Murphy High

High · Grades 9–12 · Murphy

424 students21:1

Andrews High

High · Grades 9–12 · Andrews

229 students24:1

Tri-County Early College High

High · Grades 9–13 · Murphy

153 students18:1

Hiwassee Dam High

High · Grades 9–12 · Murphy

137 students16:1

The Oaks Academy

High · Grades 6–12 · Murphy

Towns served

Andrews 1,998Murphy 1,604

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.