Summary:
ZIP code 28901 in Andrews, North Carolina is served by three public schools — Andrews Elementary (PK–5), Andrews Middle (6–8), and Andrews High (9–12) — which together form a complete K–12 pipeline within Cherokee County Schools. All three schools serve extremely high-poverty populations, with over 97% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This shared context is essential for understanding proficiency results, which often trail state averages, particularly in math. The district itself sits at the 50th percentile of North Carolina districts with a 3-star rating.
Comparing the three schools, Andrews High holds the strongest state ranking (33rd percentile, 2 stars) and posts the lowest chronic absenteeism at 26.6%. Its graduation rate of 88.9% matches the state average — a notable achievement given the poverty level. However, its math scores are weak, especially Math III at 45.8% proficiency versus 68.9% statewide. Andrews Elementary ranks lowest (27th percentile, 1 star) with math and reading below state averages in every grade, but its 5th-grade science proficiency of 80.4% is a genuine standout. Andrews Middle shows the most concerning trajectory, with its ranking falling from the 64th percentile two years ago to the 23rd percentile today; 8th-grade math proficiency sits at just 26.5% versus 53.0% statewide.
Across all grade levels, math is the clearest area of weakness, with deficits that compound from elementary through middle school and persist into high school. Science is a consistent bright spot, including a 23-point one-year jump in Biology at Andrews High and strong 8th-grade science results at the middle school. Families should expect significant year-to-year score volatility, since small cohorts can cause large swings that reflect specific groups of students rather than school-wide changes. The middle school years appear to be the critical transition point, making Andrews Middle the clearest target for intervention and support within this community.
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