Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Cherokee County Schools (2026) - Murphy, NC

Cherokee County Schools

911 Andrews Road
Murphy, NC 28906-3501
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 983 students in Cherokee County Schools. This district's average high testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Cherokee County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Cherokee County School have a Graduation Rate of 81%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Murphy High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
13 Schools
760 Schools
# Students
2,989 Students
568,877 Students
# Teachers
203 Teachers
31,559 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Cherokee County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 47% has decreased from 92% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#164 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(21-22)
50%
51%
50%
50%
68%
63%
(21-22)
91%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.31
0.71
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
8%
21%
% Black
2%
25%
% White
83%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,450 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,049 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$40 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$39 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,450
$11,168
Spending / Student
$13,049
$11,592

Best Cherokee County Schools Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Murphy High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
234 High School Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2426
Gr: 9-12 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Tri-county Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Tri-county Early College High,
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Gr: 9-13 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Andrews High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
50 High School Drive
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5415
Gr: 9-12 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Hiwassee Dam High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
267 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Gr: 9-12 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
The Oaks Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
The Oaks Academy, 4700 East Us
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Gr: 6-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Recent Articles

How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 13 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 2,989 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 17%
  • : 91% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 50% (Top 50%)
  • : 50% (Btm 50%)
  • : 68% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links