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Murphy Middle

Q: Is Murphy Middle a good school?

Murphy Middle ranks 381 st of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

381^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 778 North Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 51% of North Carolina middle schools

Summary

Murphy Middle in Murphy, NC serves 353 students in grades 6-8 and is the largest middle school in its corner of western North Carolina, operating as part of Cherokee County Schools. The school currently holds a 3-star rating at the 51st percentile statewide, and virtually all of its students — 99% — qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Murphy has several clear academic bright spots. Eighth-grade science is a standout at 81.7% proficiency, the highest among all nearby middle schools and well above the state average of 68.6%. Upper-grade reading is strong too: 60% of 8th graders are proficient, topping Andrews Middle (49.0%), Hiwassee Dam Middle (48.7%), and Hayesville Middle (54.0%). Seventh-grade reading also exceeds both district and state averages. Perhaps most remarkable is the school's work with special education students, whose results now rank in the 88th percentile statewide, up dramatically from the 50th percentile just two years ago.

The biggest concern is math, where proficiency drops sharply from 56.8% in 6th grade to just 28.6% in 8th grade — more than 24 points below the state average. Since those same 8th graders post 81.7% in science, this appears to be a subject-specific challenge rather than a general student issue. Hiwassee Dam Middle, in the same district with similar demographics, outperforms Murphy in math at every grade level (51.3% vs. 28.6% in 8th grade), while Murphy excels in reading and science. Chronic absenteeism is also a serious risk: 45.1% of students were chronically absent in 2024-2025, nearly double the state rate. Despite these obstacles, Murphy's solid reading and science results point to meaningful unrealized potential if attendance and math instruction improve.

353

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

Community Eligibility

All students receive free meals (2024-25) ?

65 Middle School Drive
Murphy, NC 28906

(828) 837-0160

District: Cherokee County Schools

Students who attend Murphy Middle usually attend:

High:

Murphy High

Feeder schools for Murphy Middle:

Elementary:	Murphy Elementary
	Peachtree Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.7%

Two or more races:

6.2%

Hispanic:

5.4%

See top rated North Carolina middle schools

Compare Murphy Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 53rd percentile in 2016 → 51st in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the North Carolina median (51st percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (45% vs 24% North Carolina)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Mathematics scores 11 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school56%

District avg53%

North Carolina avg58%

381^st of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 49%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

122^nd of 246Cherokee County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	51.7	381 of 778	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.4	322 of 773	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.7	316 of 793	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.8	271 of 784	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.5	242 of 786	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.4	278 of 741	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.3	196 of 737	73.4%	★★★★☆
2018	63.3	253 of 691	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	58.2	296 of 694	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	53.7	322 of 692	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	51.7	354 of 705	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	52.2	287 of 627	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.5	239 of 673	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	72.9	167 of 662	74.8%	★★★★☆
2011	70.9	190 of 648	70.7%	★★★★☆
2010	67.6	210 of 640	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	70.3	183 of 630	71.0%	★★★★☆
2008	73.9	142 of 620	77.1%	★★★★☆
2007	65.0	224 of 606	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	74.0	122 of 598	79.6%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	51.5	150 of 449	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.8	245 of 478	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.0	200 of 504	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	43.3	243 of 475	48.8%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.0	338 of 731	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.5	276 of 733	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.5	278 of 738	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.2	179 of 731	75.5%	★★★★☆
2022	59.6	267 of 733	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.5	262 of 706	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.4	170 of 684	75.1%	★★★★☆
2018	64.3	239 of 656	63.6%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.1	247 of 465	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	72.1	73 of 458	84.1%	★★★★☆
2023	76.7	22 of 452	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	64.4	150 of 450	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	55.9	233 of 448	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	75.3	7 of 416	98.3%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	245 of 725	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.1	165 of 729	77.4%	★★★★☆
2024	67.7	176 of 743	76.3%	★★★★☆
2023	68.6	165 of 735	77.6%	★★★★☆
2022	76.1	95 of 689	86.2%	★★★★☆
2021	86.3	37 of 633	94.2%	★★★★★
2019	77.6	82 of 639	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	55.8	244 of 604	59.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	47.2	399 of 736	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	49.9	362 of 733	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.7	345 of 751	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.0	363 of 747	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.7	216 of 748	71.1%	★★★★☆
2021	56.5	277 of 711	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.8	227 of 697	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.1	252 of 665	62.1%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	17.5	301 of 328	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	71.3	58 of 500	88.4%	★★★★☆
2025	51.1	148 of 478	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.9	236 of 473	50.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	31.0	471 of 644	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	35.8	440 of 649	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.3	452 of 652	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.4	436 of 656	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	44.9	366 of 658	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	32.3	440 of 632	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.4	302 of 624	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.4	357 of 596	40.1%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2026)88th percentile+37 vs school

Disabled (2022)67th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile+15 vs school

Female (2026)54th percentile+3 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)47th percentile-4 vs school

Male (2026)46th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)27th percentile-24 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)8th percentile-50 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science82%+13 vs state

Reading59%+3 vs state

Mathematics45%-11 vs state

4.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Teacher's embrace the challenge of the emotional rollercoaster that is middle school. A fragile balance of tough love, care, and what is right and wrong I feel has been given to my child this entire year. A special shout out to Ryan Gaither who is my kid's homeroom and ELA teacher and has really been optimistic and kind from the jump of this year. Teacher's are sometimes more approachable than parents, understanding of situations, and make parenting a less challenging task. Close Quote

Schools Near Murphy Middle

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners up to date on all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Murphy Middle	Public	6-8	65 Middle School Drive	Murphy	28906	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 837-0160	353	23	15.4	—	299 (84.7%)	7 (2.0%)	19 (5.4%)	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.2%)	51.7	381^st of 778 public middle schools	51.0%		55.4	322^nd of 773 public middle schools	58.3%	59	56.8	48.7	28.6	51.4	65.0	60.0	81.7			$10,209	$1,096	$9,114
Hiwassee Dam Middle	Public	6-8	337 Blue Eagle Circle	Murphy	28906	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 644-5115	122	9	13.5	96.7%	107 (87.7%)	1 (0.8%)	8 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.1%)	65.6	242^nd of 778 public middle schools	68.9%		67.9	222^nd of 773 public middle schools	71.3%	20	75.0	68.4	51.3	75.0	57.9	48.7	76.9			$13,929	$1,973	$11,956
Hayesville Middle	Public	6-8	135 School Drive	Hayesville	28904	Clay County	Clay County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 389-9924	301	20	15.4	—	244 (81.1%)	2 (0.7%)	37 (12.3%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.7%)	57.2	330^th of 778 public middle schools	57.6%		68.4	217^th of 773 public middle schools	71.9%	113	51.2	78.4	50.0	54.8	69.6	54.0	61.0			$9,537	$427	$9,111
Andrews Middle	Public	6-8	2750 Business Hwy 19	Andrews	28901	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 321-5762	167	13	13.1	97.6%	131 (78.4%)	3 (1.8%)	21 (12.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (6.6%)	26	599^th of 778 public middle schools	23.0%		43.8	442^nd of 773 public middle schools	42.8%	157	46.4	33.3	26.5	37.5	45.8	49.0	65.3			$9,750	$1,000	$8,751

Frequently Asked Questions about Murphy Middle

What is the racial makeup of Murphy Middle?

Students at Murphy Middle are 85% White, 6% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic, 2% African American.

How many students attend Murphy Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 353 students attended Murphy Middle.

What district is Murphy Middle in?

Cherokee County Schools

Is Murphy Middle a good school?

Murphy Middle ranks 381^st of 778 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Murphy Middle attend?

Students who attend Murphy Middle usually go on to attend Murphy High

Rate Murphy Middle!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2020–21 through 2025–26 immunization ratesNewOct 19, 2026

2022–23 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.