Ranger Elementary/Middle

Summary:

Ranger Elementary/Middle is a public school in Murphy, North Carolina, serving 258 students in grades PK-8. It 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.

Ranger Elementary/Middle stands out for its consistently strong academic performance, outperforming the district and state in various subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, 61.5% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in Math, compared to 48.5% for the district and 62.7% for the state. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.6 to 12.6 over the past three years, which is lower than the surrounding schools like Peachtree Elementary, Murphy Elementary, Martins Creek Elementary/Mid, and Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle.

However, Ranger Elementary/Middle also faces some unique challenges, with over 98% of its students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the surrounding schools. Additionally, the school has a significantly higher percentage of white students (90.7%) compared to the 85-87% range of the nearby schools. Despite these socioeconomic challenges, Ranger Elementary/Middle has maintained a strong academic performance, consistently ranking in the top half of North Carolina elementary schools and earning 3-4 stars from SchoolDigger over the past several years.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 101 Hardy Truett Road
       Murphy, NC  28906-9806


(828) 644-5111

District: Cherokee County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
508th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,981 Help


Students who attend Ranger Elementary/Middle usually attend:

High:    Hiwassee Dam High

Student/teacher ratio:  11.8 Help
Number of students:  258

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.7%
Hispanic:
6.2%
Two or more races:
2.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  98.8% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Ranger Elementary/Middle to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ranger Elementary/Middle ranks better than 66.2% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 4th among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Cherokee County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 64.03. (See more...)
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Compare Details Ranger Elementary/Middle ranks better than 61.8% of middle schools in North Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.3. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.7%), Hispanic (6.2%), two or more races (2.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 98.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ranger Elementary/Middle is 11.8, which is the 2nd best among 6 elementary schools in the Cherokee County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ranger Elementary/Middle employs 21.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ranger Elementary/Middle is $11,981, which is the lowest among 6 elementary schools in the Cherokee County Schools District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ranger Elementary/Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Ranger Elementary/Middle 508th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Ranger Elementary/Middle in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Ranger Elementary/Middle 303rd of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See Ranger Elementary/Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Male students:
White students:


Cherokee County Schools:

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


What do you think?

Your rating for Ranger Elementary/Middle?

Rank History for Ranger Elementary/Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 81.71 151st 1276 88.2%
2007 74.62 268th 1293 79.3%
2008 78.51 212th 1324 84.0%
2009 62.10 567th 1354 58.1%
2010 71.91 353rd 1363 74.1%
2011 69.00 436th 1381 68.4%
2012 57.48 652nd 1388 53.0%
2013 67.63 402nd 1403 71.3%
2014 76.13 297th 1390 78.6%
2015 53.12 700th 1440 51.4%
2016 55.07 637th 1425 55.3%
2017 47.28 799th 1429 44.1%
2018 41.27 906th 1434 36.8%
2019 38.32 955th 1473 35.2%
2021 52.39 677th 1489 54.5%
2022 60.65 579th 1514 61.8%
2023 74.93 325th 1502 78.4%
2024 64.03 508th 1505 66.2%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.89 620th 1332 53.5%
2019 44.75 795th 1361 41.6%
2021 80.18 149th 1329 88.8%
2023 81.96 130th 1437 91.0%
2024 78.47 173rd 1450 88.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.44 887th 1405 36.9%
2019 32.13 1038th 1424 27.1%
2021 33.57 934th 1440 35.1%
2022 57.13 602nd 1458 58.7%
2023 84.52 163rd 1459 88.8%
2024 76.59 264th 1455 81.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Disabled students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.59 725th 897 19.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.98 879th 1413 37.8%
2019 45.21 823rd 1430 42.4%
2021 62.96 499th 1444 65.4%
2022 57.95 597th 1464 59.2%
2023 52.02 708th 1461 51.5%
2024 43.87 843rd 1464 42.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.06 1123rd 1178 4.7%
2019 15.82 1093rd 1183 7.6%
2021 26.39 933rd 1172 20.4%
2022 34.57 842nd 1194 29.5%
2023 49.09 622nd 1183 47.4%
2024 35.34 815th 1166 30.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Ranger Elementary/Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 78.26 82nd 598 86.3%
2007 81.74 57th 606 90.6%
2008 88.05 38th 620 93.9%
2009 86.13 31st 630 95.1%
2010 78.91 102nd 640 84.1%
2011 72.79 172nd 648 73.5%
2012 70.19 197th 662 70.2%
2013 56.84 268th 673 60.2%
2014 64.50 193rd 627 69.2%
2015 63.60 243rd 705 65.5%
2016 58.17 289th 692 58.2%
2017 60.83 269th 694 61.2%
2018 69.53 198th 691 71.3%
2019 59.27 297th 737 59.7%
2021 41.29 424th 741 42.8%
2022 35.18 517th 786 34.2%
2023 46.57 405th 784 48.3%
2024 58.30 303rd 793 61.8%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.32 151st 604 75.0%
2019 54.02 270th 639 57.7%
2021 74.64 96th 633 84.8%
2022 62.53 193rd 689 72.0%
2023 50.87 332nd 735 54.8%
2024 67.85 174th 743 76.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.60 109th 656 83.4%
2019 61.05 266th 684 61.1%
2021 34.60 450th 706 36.3%
2022 22.02 600th 733 18.1%
2023 61.85 253rd 731 65.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.57 306th 665 54.0%
2019 55.98 306th 697 56.1%
2021 45.71 375th 711 47.3%
2022 45.08 407th 748 45.6%
2023 41.23 433rd 747 42.0%
2024 43.38 432nd 751 42.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Ranger Elementary/Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.44 327th 596 45.1%
2019 33.32 459th 624 26.4%
2021 19.95 548th 632 13.3%
2022 13.42 619th 658 5.9%
2023 26.04 523rd 656 20.3%
2024 29.13 499th 652 23.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary 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.

Ranger Elementary/Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, September 23, 2011

Open Quote I have come from a South Florida school system and believe the level of the commitment of the teachers in Ranger Elementary by far exceed what I have experienced raising 4 other children in the south Florida school system. The principal has the spiritual and educational motivation of which I want my little ones to be part of and I hope that the education continues to grow as the teacher continue their own education and pass it on to our children. I only hope the the North Carolina School System allows the teachers the imput they need to press ahead and meet the growning needs of current education. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Ranger Elementary/Middle

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 254 1 0 0 3 n/a n/a 1 259
1989 240 0 0 2 10 n/a n/a 0 252
1990 233 0 0 0 12 n/a n/a 0 245
1991 230 0 0 0 17 n/a n/a -6 241
1992 209 0 0 1 14 n/a n/a 0 224
1993 223 0 1 1 10 n/a n/a 16 251
1994 248 0 0 1 8 n/a n/a 16 273
1995 262 0 0 2 7 n/a n/a 0 271
1996 262 0 0 2 7 n/a n/a 0 271
1997 281 0 1 2 6 n/a n/a 0 290
1998 267 0 2 1 5 n/a n/a 0 275
1999 277 3 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 283
2000 323 2 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 327
2001 339 5 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 348
2002 374 7 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 385
2003 374 7 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 385
2004 375 8 1 4 1 n/a n/a 0 389
2005 379 9 1 10 1 n/a n/a 0 400
2006 393 6 2 5 1 n/a n/a 0 407
2007 401 0 1 3 1 n/a n/a 8 414
2008 389 0 0 9 3 n/a n/a 9 410
2009 365 10 1 3 2 n/a n/a 0 381
2010 354 5 0 4 4 n/a n/a 0 367
2011 360 2 0 7 1 1 2 0 373
2012 321 4 0 11 1 0 2 0 339
2013 323 3 0 7 2 0 4 0 339
2014 280 1 0 3 1 0 7 0 292
2015 274 1 0 6 2 0 6 0 289
2016 266 1 1 15 4 0 8 0 295
2017 266 2 1 11 2 0 7 0 289
2018 261 1 0 11 2 0 11 0 286
2019 262 1 0 12 2 1 14 0 292
2020 262 3 0 17 1 0 13 0 296
2021 248 2 0 12 1 0 6 0 269
2022 233 2 0 12 0 0 9 0 256
2023 234 2 0 16 0 0 6 0 258

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 Ranger Elementary/Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 259 17.0 15.2 37.5
1989 252 17.0 14.8 70.6
1990 245 17.0 14.4 64.5
1991 241 17.0 14.1 65.6
1992 224 17.0 13.1 37.5
1993 251 16.0 15.7 54.9
1994 273 17.0 16.1 49
1995 271 19.0 14.3 50.9
1996 271 19.0 14.3 50.9
1997 290 21.0 13.8 17.9
1998 275 19.0 14.5 47.3
1999 283 19.0 14.9 66.1
2000 327 19.0 17.2 63.9
2001 348 19.0 18.3 61.2
2002 385 29.0 13.3 62.9
2003 385 29.0 13.3 62.9
2004 389 29.0 13.4 65
2005 400 34.0 11.8 63
2006 407 34.0 12.0 56.3
2007 414 n/a n/a 52.5
2008 410 27.0 15.2 56.4
2009 381 27.0 14.1 57.5
2010 367 24.1 15.2 65.1
2011 373 24.5 15.2 64.6
2012 339 24.1 14.0 69.6
2013 339 25.7 13.1 67.8
2014 292 21.5 13.5 75.3
2015 289 22.0 13.1 99
2016 295 23.0 12.8 99
2017 289 23.1 12.4 99
2018 286 20.7 13.8 99
2019 292 22.1 13.1 99
2020 296 23.2 12.7 99
2021 269 21.2 12.6 98.9
2022 256 22.0 11.6 98.8
2023 258 21.8 11.8 98.8

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 Ranger Elementary/Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 259 17.0 15.2 37.5
1989 252 17.0 14.8 70.6
1990 245 17.0 14.4 64.5
1991 241 17.0 14.1 65.6
1992 224 17.0 13.1 37.5
1993 251 16.0 15.7 54.9
1994 273 17.0 16.1 49
1995 271 19.0 14.3 50.9
1996 271 19.0 14.3 50.9
1997 290 21.0 13.8 17.9
1998 275 19.0 14.5 47.3
1999 283 19.0 14.9 66.1
2000 327 19.0 17.2 63.9
2001 348 19.0 18.3 61.2
2002 385 29.0 13.3 62.9
2003 385 29.0 13.3 62.9
2004 389 29.0 13.4 65
2005 400 34.0 11.8 63
2006 407 34.0 12.0 56.3
2007 414 n/a n/a 52.5
2008 410 27.0 15.2 56.4
2009 381 27.0 14.1 57.5
2010 367 24.1 15.2 65.1
2011 373 24.5 15.2 64.6
2012 339 24.1 14.0 69.6
2013 339 25.7 13.1 67.8
2014 292 21.5 13.5 75.3
2015 289 22.0 13.1 99
2016 295 23.0 12.8 99
2017 289 23.1 12.4 99
2018 286 20.7 13.8 99
2019 292 22.1 13.1 99
2020 296 23.2 12.7 99
2021 269 21.2 12.6 98.9
2022 256 22.0 11.6 98.8
2023 258 21.8 11.8 98.8

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 Ranger Elementary/Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,248 (10.4%) $10,733 (89.6%) $11,981

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Ranger Elementary/Middle

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 955th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 325th of 1502 Elementary schools
 43.2%
Ranks 297th of 737 Middle schoolsRanks 405th of 784 Middle schools
 11.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ranger Elementary/Middle)38.288.2
 50%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)70.854.7
 16.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Ranger Elementary/Middle)38.276.5
 38.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)56.243.8
 12.4%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ranger Elementary/Middle)62.158.1
 4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)56.652.1
 4.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Ranger Elementary/Middle)57.154.8
 2.3%
   4th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)62.154.3
 7.8%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ranger Elementary/Middle)58.373.9
 15.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)59.256.1
 3.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Ranger Elementary/Middle)52.860.9
 8.1%
   5th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)64.457.5
 6.9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Ranger Elementary/Middle)52.882.6
 29.8%
   5th Grade Science (Cherokee County Schools)77.574.7
 2.8%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Ranger Elementary/Middle)60.659.3
 1.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)6954
 15%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.852.3
 6.5%
6th Grade Reading (Ranger Elementary/Middle)57.663
 5.4%
   6th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)63.246.9
 16.3%
   6th Grade Reading (North Carolina)6049.3
 10.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (Ranger Elementary/Middle)54.533.3
 21.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)61.259
 2.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.450.1
 8.3%
7th Grade Reading (Ranger Elementary/Middle)54.548.5
 6%
   7th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)64.357.6
 6.7%
   7th Grade Reading (North Carolina)58.850.2
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Ranger Elementary/Middle)53.631.8
 21.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)56.147.9
 8.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)52.644.8
 7.8%
8th Grade Reading (Ranger Elementary/Middle)7531.8
 43.2%
   8th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)60.750.2
 10.5%
   8th Grade Reading (North Carolina)55.651
 4.6%
8th Grade Science (Ranger Elementary/Middle)89.372.7
 16.6%
   8th Grade Science (Cherokee County Schools)89.882.2
 7.6%
   8th Grade Science (North Carolina)78.670.3
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students292258
 11.6%
African American12
 100%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian00
Hispanic1216
 33.3%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White262234
 10.7%
Two or More Races146
 57.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients99%98.8%
 0.1%


Schools Near Ranger Elementary/Middle









Frequently Asked Questions about Ranger Elementary/Middle

In the 2022-23 school year, 258 students attended Ranger Elementary/Middle.

Ranger Elementary/Middle ranks 508th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Ranger Elementary/Middle usually go on to attend:

High : Hiwassee Dam High

Students at Ranger Elementary/Middle are 91% White, 6% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.


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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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