Murphy High

Summary:

Murphy High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Murphy, North Carolina, with a student population of 489. The school is part of the Cherokee County Schools district, which is ranked 82 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

While Murphy High School has shown mixed academic performance compared to state and district averages, it generally outperforms nearby schools like Andrews High and Hiwassee Dam High. However, the school's ranking has declined over the years, and it lags behind the exceptional Tri-County Early College High in academic measures. The school's Gifted and Talented program has also seen fluctuations, and the growing population of economically disadvantaged students may require additional support and resources.

Despite these challenges, Murphy High School remains a viable option for families in the area. The school's strengths include its performance for Special Education and Low Socioeconomic Status students, and its racial composition has become slightly more diverse in recent years. As the school navigates these changes, it will be important for the administration to address areas for improvement and ensure the success of all its students.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 234 High School Circle
       Murphy, NC  28906-2516


(828) 837-2426

District: Cherokee County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
279th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,724 Help


Feeder schools for Murphy High:

Elementary:    Martins Creek Elementary/Mid
    Murphy Elementary
    Peachtree Elementary
Middle:    Murphy Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  489

Racial breakdown:

White:
84.7%
Hispanic:
5.9%
Two or more races:
4.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  54.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Murphy High ranks better than 56.4% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 2nd among 4 ranked high schools in the Cherokee County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.43. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Murphy High has the largest high school student body size in the Cherokee County Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (84.7%), Hispanic (5.9%), two or more races (4.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 54.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Cherokee County Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Murphy High is 14.1. 2 high schools in the Cherokee County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Murphy High employs 34.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Murphy High is $10,724. 3 high schools in the Cherokee County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Murphy High:

SchoolDigger ranks Murphy High 279th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See Murphy High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
White students:


Cherokee County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Cherokee County Schools 82nd of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Murphy High

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Rank History for all students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 70.12 70th 431 83.8%
2007 64.27 108th 453 76.2%
2008 59.61 153rd 477 67.9%
2009 63.19 133rd 490 72.9%
2010 61.40 178th 499 64.3%
2011 63.73 140th 506 72.3%
2012 71.41 63rd 502 87.5%
2013 58.85 82nd 505 83.8%
2014 65.17 91st 451 79.8%
2015 34.21 310th 531 41.6%
2016 35.72 269th 507 46.9%
2017 22.03 365th 476 23.3%
2018 54.46 184th 469 60.8%
2019 35.73 311th 514 39.5%
2021 43.91 312th 594 47.5%
2022 49.90 287th 621 53.8%
2023 58.33 240th 626 61.7%
2024 53.43 279th 640 56.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 46.80 142nd 349 59.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.83 86th 424 79.7%
2019 36.57 238th 446 46.6%
2021 50.08 117th 432 72.9%
2022 51.26 216th 544 60.3%
2023 63.31 167th 597 72.0%
2024 57.15 202nd 613 67.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.12 181st 449 59.7%
2019 38.19 286th 475 39.8%
2021 48.92 201st 475 57.7%
2022 46.10 310th 594 47.8%
2023 63.35 205th 588 65.1%
2024 52.04 275th 602 54.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.76 69th 349 80.2%
2019 43.52 183rd 364 49.7%
2021 79.54 33rd 334 90.1%
2022 47.49 126th 330 61.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.25 163rd 325 49.8%
2021 70.16 81st 337 76.0%
2022 62.72 170th 398 57.3%
2023 77.34 74th 403 81.6%
2024 54.43 241st 403 40.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.80 218th 463 52.9%
2019 30.55 322nd 488 34.0%
2021 39.56 242nd 481 49.7%
2022 51.62 255th 585 56.4%
2023 53.51 256th 602 57.5%
2024 53.43 260th 607 57.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 37.76 268th 449 40.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Murphy High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.32 304th 427 28.8%
2019 20.61 367th 444 17.3%
2021 25.91 313th 439 28.7%
2022 35.26 352nd 534 34.1%
2023 45.90 286th 537 46.7%
2024 43.66 316th 553 42.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Murphy High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Murphy High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 798 36 7 7 10 n/a n/a -5 853
1989 764 34 4 7 15 n/a n/a 0 824
1990 702 32 5 13 31 n/a n/a 0 783
1991 702 28 6 11 33 n/a n/a 2 782
1992 679 33 5 15 35 n/a n/a -2 765
1993 682 33 6 10 37 n/a n/a 0 768
1994 730 32 5 7 33 n/a n/a 0 807
1995 487 15 3 2 21 n/a n/a 0 528
1996 487 15 3 2 21 n/a n/a 0 528
1997 495 20 3 6 16 n/a n/a 0 540
1998 495 20 4 2 16 n/a n/a 0 537
1999 502 21 6 4 13 n/a n/a 0 546
2000 494 18 3 5 13 n/a n/a 0 533
2001 536 16 2 7 14 n/a n/a 0 575
2002 550 20 3 10 12 n/a n/a 0 595
2003 550 20 3 10 12 n/a n/a 0 595
2004 574 19 3 10 12 n/a n/a 0 618
2005 562 16 5 10 14 n/a n/a 0 607
2006 552 18 3 15 15 n/a n/a 0 603
2007 538 12 4 11 17 n/a n/a 7 589
2008 475 17 5 10 12 n/a n/a 11 530
2009 486 25 2 11 8 n/a n/a 0 532
2010 475 29 2 14 10 n/a n/a 0 530
2011 455 13 5 13 8 0 11 0 505
2012 431 11 8 8 8 0 9 0 475
2013 422 11 9 11 10 0 9 0 472
2014 410 11 8 10 10 0 6 0 455
2015 402 13 6 16 8 0 4 0 449
2016 447 14 3 13 13 0 9 0 499
2017 445 15 2 15 14 0 12 0 503
2018 452 20 2 23 12 0 14 0 523
2019 413 17 4 21 7 0 14 0 476
2020 399 15 6 26 4 0 30 0 480
2021 405 11 4 24 5 1 11 0 461
2022 385 8 4 27 3 1 14 0 442
2023 414 14 5 29 6 1 20 0 489

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Murphy High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 853 43.0 19.8 28
1989 824 43.0 19.1 42.2
1990 783 43.0 18.2 34.7
1991 782 43.0 18.1 34.8
1992 765 43.0 17.7 20.3
1993 768 47.0 16.3 26.2
1994 807 46.0 17.5 28.5
1995 528 38.0 13.9 27.8
1996 528 38.0 13.9 27.8
1997 540 37.0 14.6 5.2
1998 537 41.0 13.1 26.8
1999 546 41.0 13.3 31.7
2000 533 41.0 13.0 34.3
2001 575 41.0 14.0 26.8
2002 595 43.0 13.8 34.3
2003 595 43.0 13.8 34.3
2004 618 43.0 14.4 37.9
2005 607 45.0 13.5 37.9
2006 603 45.0 13.4 36.8
2007 589 44.0 13.4 38
2008 530 43.0 12.3 43.4
2009 532 43.0 12.4 42.1
2010 530 37.0 14.2 50.8
2011 505 34.9 14.4 51.9
2012 475 34.2 13.8 52.6
2013 472 34.1 13.8 51.3
2014 455 29.9 15.1 56.9
2015 449 31.0 14.4 56.1
2016 499 33.0 15.1 46.7
2017 503 31.2 16.0 51.3
2018 523 32.2 16.2 47
2019 476 34.1 13.9 47.5
2020 480 34.3 13.9 41.9
2021 461 38.8 11.8 29.3
2022 442 35.0 12.6 26
2023 489 34.4 14.1 54.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Murphy High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 853 43.0 19.8 28
1989 824 43.0 19.1 42.2
1990 783 43.0 18.2 34.7
1991 782 43.0 18.1 34.8
1992 765 43.0 17.7 20.3
1993 768 47.0 16.3 26.2
1994 807 46.0 17.5 28.5
1995 528 38.0 13.9 27.8
1996 528 38.0 13.9 27.8
1997 540 37.0 14.6 5.2
1998 537 41.0 13.1 26.8
1999 546 41.0 13.3 31.7
2000 533 41.0 13.0 34.3
2001 575 41.0 14.0 26.8
2002 595 43.0 13.8 34.3
2003 595 43.0 13.8 34.3
2004 618 43.0 14.4 37.9
2005 607 45.0 13.5 37.9
2006 603 45.0 13.4 36.8
2007 589 44.0 13.4 38
2008 530 43.0 12.3 43.4
2009 532 43.0 12.4 42.1
2010 530 37.0 14.2 50.8
2011 505 34.9 14.4 51.9
2012 475 34.2 13.8 52.6
2013 472 34.1 13.8 51.3
2014 455 29.9 15.1 56.9
2015 449 31.0 14.4 56.1
2016 499 33.0 15.1 46.7
2017 503 31.2 16.0 51.3
2018 523 32.2 16.2 47
2019 476 34.1 13.9 47.5
2020 480 34.3 13.9 41.9
2021 461 38.8 11.8 29.3
2022 442 35.0 12.6 26
2023 489 34.4 14.1 54.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Murphy High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,248 (11.6%) $9,476 (88.4%) $10,724

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Murphy High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 311th of 514 High schoolsRanks 240th of 626 High schools
 22.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (Murphy High)47.455.5
 8.1%
   End of Course Biology (Cherokee County Schools)48.451.7
 3.3%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Murphy High)59.363.3
 4%
   End of Course English II (Cherokee County Schools)64.168
 3.9%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (Murphy High)23.860.4
 36.6%
   End of Course Math I (Cherokee County Schools)30.947.2
 16.3%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (Murphy High)41.558.9
 17.4%
   End of Course Math III (Cherokee County Schools)44.152.9
 8.8%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students476489
 2.7%
African American1714
 17.6%
American Indian76
 14.3%
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic2129
 38.1%
Pacific Islander01
White413414
 0.2%
Two or More Races1420
 42.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.5%54.6%
 7.1%


Schools Near Murphy High









Frequently Asked Questions about Murphy High

Students at Murphy High are 85% White, 6% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 3% African American, 1% American Indian, 1% Asian.

Murphy High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Martins Creek Elementary/Mid
Elementary : Murphy Elementary
Elementary : Peachtree Elementary
Middle : Murphy Middle

In the 2022-23 school year, 489 students attended Murphy High.

Murphy High ranks 279th of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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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.





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