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Tri-County Early College High

Q: Is Tri-County Early College High a good school?

Tri-County Early College High ranks 186 th of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

186^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 662 North Carolina High Schools

Better than 72% of North Carolina high schools

Summary

Tri-County Early College High in Murphy, NC, is a small public early college high school serving grades 9 through 12 with roughly 153 students. As part of [Cherokee County Schools](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/district/00780/search.aspx), the school dramatically outperforms its district and regional peers, earning a 4-star rating and ranking 186th out of 662 high schools statewide (72nd percentile). This places it in the top quartile of North Carolina high schools, a remarkable feat given that nearly all of its students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In contrast, nearby schools like [Murphy High](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0078000323/school.aspx) (44th percentile), [Hayesville High](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0087000333/school.aspx) (45th percentile), [Andrews High](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0078000318/school.aspx) and [Hiwassee Dam High](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0078002626/school.aspx) (33rd percentile) all cluster in the bottom half of the state. Most strikingly, [The Oaks Academy](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0078002082/school.aspx), which shares the exact same address, ranks in the 6th percentile, underscoring how TCE's unique early college model drives its success.

Academically, TCE posts impressive results in English and science. In the latest school year, 90.5% of students scored proficient on the Biology EOC, compared to 58.5% statewide, and 85% scored proficient on English II, far ahead of the 64.6% state average. Math results are more uneven: while Math I proficiency (50%) tops the state (42.1%), Math III proficiency (60%) lags behind the state (68.9%) and local schools like [Hayesville High](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0087000333/school.aspx)(74.4%). Math scores also fluctuate sharply year-to-year due to the small student body. The school's graduation rate is a strong 94.6%, well above the state average. However, chronic absenteeism sits at 43.2%, much higher than the state’s 24.2%, although lower than [Murphy High](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0078000323/school.aspx)'s 47.3% and [The Oaks Academy](https://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/schools/0078002082/school.aspx)'s 77.7%.

TCE proves that high poverty does not have to mean low performance. Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds consistently score in the 78th to 88th percentile statewide at this school, and male students have shown significant improvement in recent years. Interestingly, TCE operates with less traditional funding than its neighbors, reporting $7,830 per-pupil spending compared to over $10,000 at nearby schools, and maintains a higher student-to-teacher ratio of 18.5. This suggests the early college structure, rigorous expectations, and student commitment are the primary drivers of achievement. Overall, TCE is a standout choice in the region. While parents should be aware of the high chronic absenteeism and inconsistent math performance, the school's consistent 4-star rating, exceptional biology and English outcomes, and high graduation rate make it a uniquely strong option compared to surrounding traditional high schools.

153

Students ?

18.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

96.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4700 East US 64 Alternate
Murphy, NC 28906

(828) 837-6775

District: Cherokee County Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

73.2%

Hispanic:

15.7%

Two or more races:

5.2%

See top rated North Carolina high schools

Compare Tri-County Early College High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 70th percentile in 2021 → 72nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (77% vs 60% meeting standards)

✓95% graduate in 4 years — above the North Carolina average (87%)

✓Above the North Carolina median (72nd percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (43% vs 24% North Carolina)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school77%

District avg56%

North Carolina avg60%

186^th of 662

North Carolina public high schools ?

Top 28%▲ up 2 pts since 2021

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina High 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	70.5	186 of 662	71.9%	★★★★☆
2025	83.6	117 of 641	81.7%	★★★★☆
2024	77.7	140 of 640	78.1%	★★★★☆
2023	77.7	140 of 626	77.6%	★★★★☆
2022	69.4	172 of 621	72.3%	★★★★☆
2021	65.5	181 of 594	69.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	69.2	182 of 629	71.1%	★★★★☆
2025	86.5	89 of 610	85.4%	★★★★☆
2024	83.2	114 of 602	81.1%	★★★★☆
2023	77.9	128 of 588	78.2%	★★★★☆
2022	66.0	186 of 594	68.7%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	72.7	116 of 412	71.8%	★★★★☆
2024	66.2	143 of 403	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.5	131 of 398	67.1%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	66.1	110 of 436	74.8%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	75.6	134 of 620	78.4%	★★★★☆
2025	90.9	73 of 606	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	78.3	122 of 613	80.1%	★★★★☆
2023	77.1	113 of 597	81.1%	★★★★☆
2022	75.6	103 of 544	81.1%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	85.5	110 of 624	82.4%	★★★★☆
2025	73.3	159 of 601	73.5%	★★★★☆
2024	52.6	270 of 607	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	81.5	121 of 602	79.9%	★★★★☆
2022	68.0	171 of 585	70.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.1	243 of 551	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	76.1	137 of 542	74.7%	★★★★☆
2024	67.3	188 of 553	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.8	137 of 537	74.5%	★★★★☆
2022	57.1	222 of 534	58.4%	★★★☆☆

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)

Male (2026)82nd percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)78th percentile+6 vs school

Hispanic (2022)75th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2025)72nd percentile-10 vs school

Female (2026)71st percentile~ school

White (2026)56th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Biology90%+32 vs state

English II85%+20 vs state

Math III60%-9 vs state

Math I50%+8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Tri-County Early College High

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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 Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOC Biology (2026)	EOC English II (2026)	EOC Math I (2026)	EOC Math III (2026)	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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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	EOC Biology End of Course	EOC English II End of Course	EOC Math I End of Course	EOC Math III End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Tri-County Early College High	Public	9-12	4700 East US 64 Alternate	Murphy	28906	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 837-6775	153	8	18.5	96.1%	112 (73.2%)	4 (2.6%)	24 (15.7%)	4 (2.6%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (5.2%)	70.5	186^th of 662 public high schools	71.9%		83.6	117^th of 641 public high schools	81.7%	69	90.5	85.0	50.0	60.0	$7,830	$280	$7,549
The Oaks Academy	Public	6-12	4700 East US 64 Alternate	Murphy	28906	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 837-6775	43	6	7.4	79.1%	39 (90.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.3%)								(n/a)	23.1		536.4		$16,426	$280	$16,146
Murphy High	Public	9-12	234 High School Circle	Murphy	28906	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 837-2426	424	20	20.8	99.3%	340 (80.2%)	13 (3.1%)	36 (8.5%)	7 (1.7%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.9%)	44.6	371^st of 662 public high schools	44.0%		51.2	285^th of 641 public high schools	55.5%	86	47.1	66.0	45.7	68.2	$10,724	$1,248	$9,476
Hayesville High	Public	9-12	205 Yellow Jacket Drive	Hayesville	28904	Clay County	Clay County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 389-6532	366	28	13.0	99.2%	310 (84.7%)	2 (0.5%)	39 (10.7%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.5%)	45.8	362^nd of 662 public high schools	45.3%		57.9	245^th of 641 public high schools	61.8%	117	59.3	60.7	22.7	74.4	$14,651	$1,180	$13,471
Andrews High	Public	9-12	50 High School Drive	Andrews	28901	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 321-5415	229	10	24.0	97.8%	185 (80.8%)	2 (0.9%)	26 (11.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.6%)	34.3	444^th of 662 public high schools	32.9%		30.3	443^rd of 641 public high schools	30.9%	1	53.8	62.7	38.8	45.8	$14,037	$1,030	$13,007
Hiwassee Dam High	Public	9-12	267 Blue Eagle Circle	Murphy	28906	Cherokee County	Cherokee County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 644-5115	137	9	15.9	97.8%	127 (92.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.4%)	34.3	445^th of 662 public high schools	32.8%		33	424^th of 641 public high schools	33.9%	21	38.9	55.0	48.3	63.2	$12,078	$452	$11,625

Frequently Asked Questions about Tri-County Early College High

How many students attend Tri-County Early College High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 153 students attended Tri-County Early College High.

What is the racial makeup of Tri-County Early College High?

Students at Tri-County Early College High are 73% White, 16% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American, 3% Asian.

What district is Tri-County Early College High in?

Cherokee County Schools

Is Tri-County Early College High a good school?

Tri-County Early College High ranks 186^th of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Tri-County Early College High!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

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

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

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.