Top Rankings
Cherokee County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 997 students in Cherokee County Schools School District. 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 School District 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 School District have a Graduation Rate of 77%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 85%.
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 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
13 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
3,104 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
236 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Cherokee County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 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 91% has decreased from 93% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#164 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
63%
Graduation Rate
91%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.30
0.70
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
7%
20%
% Black
2%
24%
% White
83%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,951 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,565 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$40 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$39 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,951
$11,187
Spending / Student
$12,565
$11,612
Best Cherokee County Schools School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Murphy High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
234 High School Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2426
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2426
Grades: 9-12
| 433 students
Rank: #22.
Tri-county Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Tri-county Early College High,
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Grades: 9-13
| 149 students
Rank: #33.
Andrews High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
50 High School Drive
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5415
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5415
Grades: 9-12
| 222 students
Rank: #44.
Hiwassee Dam High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
267 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Grades: 9-12
| 141 students
Rank: #55.
The Oaks Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
The Oaks Academy, 4700 East Us
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Grades: 6-12
| 52 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
