For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 1,414 students in Cherokee County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cherokee County, NC are Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School, Murphy Middle School and Andrews Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Cherokee County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
337 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Gr: PK-8 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Murphy Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
65 Middle School Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-0160
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-0160
Gr: 6-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Andrews Middle School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2750 Business Hwy 19
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5762
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-5762
Gr: 6-8 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Ranger Elementary Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 Hardy Truett Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111
Gr: PK-8 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Nantahala School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
213 Windingstairs Rd
Topton, NC 28781
(828) 321-4388
Topton, NC 28781
(828) 321-4388
Gr: K-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Martins Creek Elementary/mid
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1459 Tobe Stalcup Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831
Gr: PK-8 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
The Learning Center
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
945 Conaheeta Street
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 835-7240
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 835-7240
Gr: K-9 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2230 Airport Road
Marble, NC 28905
(828) 837-5485
Marble, NC 28905
(828) 837-5485
Gr: PK-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Cherokee County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cherokee County, NC include Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School, Murphy Middle School and Andrews Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Cherokee County?
8 public middle schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public middle schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Cherokee County include: Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School vs. Martins Creek Elementary/mid, Ranger Elementary Middle School vs. Martins Creek Elementary/mid, The Learning Center vs. Martins Creek Elementary/mid
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