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Murphy Middle

Summary:

Murphy Middle School is a public middle school serving 316 students in grades 6-8 in Murphy, North Carolina, which is part of the Cherokee County Schools district. The school generally performs well academically, with students scoring above the district and state averages in most subject areas, particularly in 8th grade science. However, the school has seen a significant increase in its free/reduced lunch rate, indicating a growing economically disadvantaged student population.

Compared to nearby Andrews Middle and Hayesville Middle, Murphy Middle has a higher percentage of white students and a higher student-teacher ratio, which may contribute to its academic performance. The school's strengths include its support for economically disadvantaged students, as it ranks in the top 25% of North Carolina middle schools in this category. However, the school's performance with white students and gifted/talented students is relatively lower, suggesting the need to address achievement gaps among different student subgroups.

Overall, Murphy Middle School appears to be a strong-performing middle school within its district, providing a quality education to its diverse student population. The school's focus on academic achievement, particularly in science and reading, is commendable, but it will need to continue to monitor and address the performance of its various student subgroups to ensure all students are reaching their full potential.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 65 Middle School Drive
       Murphy, NC  28906

(828) 837-0160

District: Cherokee County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
316th of 793 North Carolina Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,209 Help


Students who attend Murphy Middle usually attend:

High:    Murphy High

Feeder schools for Murphy Middle:

Elementary:    Murphy Elementary
    Peachtree Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  14.9 Help
Number of students:  297

Racial breakdown:

White:
82.2%
Two or more races:
7.7%
Hispanic:
5.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99% Help


 See top rated North Carolina middle schools

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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Murphy Middle ranks better than 60.2% of middle schools in North Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.67. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (82.2%), two or more races (7.7%), Hispanic (5.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Murphy Middle is 14.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Murphy Middle employs 19.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Murphy Middle is $10,209.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Murphy Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Murphy Middle 316th of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See Murphy Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Cherokee County Schools:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Murphy Middle.

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Rank History for Murphy Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 73.99 122nd 598 79.6%
2007 64.96 224th 606 63.0%
2008 73.87 142nd 620 77.1%
2009 70.28 183rd 630 71.0%
2010 67.55 210th 640 67.2%
2011 70.89 190th 648 70.7%
2012 72.88 167th 662 74.8%
2013 59.46 239th 673 64.5%
2014 52.18 287th 627 54.2%
2015 51.73 354th 705 49.8%
2016 53.72 322nd 692 53.5%
2017 58.16 296th 694 57.3%
2018 63.30 253rd 691 63.4%
2019 70.30 196th 737 73.4%
2021 58.36 278th 741 62.5%
2022 65.46 242nd 786 69.2%
2023 61.83 271st 784 65.4%
2024 56.67 316th 793 60.2%
See the entire list of North Carolina Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 41.85 236th 473 50.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.85 244th 604 59.6%
2019 77.56 82nd 639 87.2%
2021 86.27 37th 633 94.2%
2022 76.11 95th 689 86.2%
2023 68.63 165th 735 77.6%
2024 67.67 176th 743 76.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.30 239th 656 63.6%
2019 72.42 170th 684 75.1%
2021 58.54 262nd 706 62.9%
2022 59.63 267th 733 63.6%
2023 71.22 179th 731 75.5%
2024 59.54 278th 738 62.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.31 243rd 475 48.8%
2019 50.97 200th 504 60.3%
2021 42.77 245th 478 48.7%
2022 51.51 150th 449 66.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 75.31 7th 416 98.3%
2021 55.89 233rd 448 48.0%
2022 64.41 150th 450 66.7%
2023 76.65 22nd 452 95.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.09 252nd 665 62.1%
2019 65.78 227th 697 67.4%
2021 56.47 277th 711 61.0%
2022 66.75 216th 748 71.1%
2023 49.00 363rd 747 51.4%
2024 51.69 345th 751 54.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Murphy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.37 357th 596 40.1%
2019 51.42 302nd 624 51.6%
2021 32.32 440th 632 30.4%
2022 44.87 366th 658 44.4%
2023 36.38 436th 656 33.5%
2024 34.31 452nd 652 30.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle 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 Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Open Quote 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



Enrollment information for Murphy Middle

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 206 9 3 0 6 n/a n/a 0 224
1996 206 9 3 0 6 n/a n/a 0 224
1997 225 11 1 0 8 n/a n/a 0 245
1998 330 15 2 7 8 n/a n/a 0 362
1999 343 14 2 8 8 n/a n/a 0 375
2000 353 10 2 6 4 n/a n/a 0 375
2001 346 9 2 7 3 n/a n/a 0 367
2002 329 11 3 7 8 n/a n/a 0 358
2003 329 11 3 7 8 n/a n/a 0 358
2004 343 16 3 6 8 n/a n/a 0 376
2005 320 20 1 6 6 n/a n/a 0 353
2006 344 22 4 6 7 n/a n/a 0 383
2007 306 9 5 10 10 n/a n/a 9 349
2008 313 7 6 5 10 n/a n/a 8 349
2009 306 15 7 10 8 n/a n/a 0 346
2010 325 12 7 5 7 n/a n/a 0 356
2011 310 5 5 8 7 0 4 0 339
2012 310 11 2 9 8 0 3 0 343
2013 323 10 1 11 10 0 5 0 360
2014 321 14 1 12 12 0 4 0 364
2015 304 13 2 11 9 0 8 0 347
2016 284 12 3 14 3 0 12 0 328
2017 269 9 5 13 3 0 11 0 310
2018 293 10 4 12 3 0 14 0 336
2019 282 8 2 15 6 1 12 0 326
2020 243 7 4 15 5 0 54 0 328
2021 258 9 6 16 5 0 16 0 310
2022 259 10 6 16 1 0 14 0 306
2023 260 10 3 21 2 0 20 0 316
2024 244 8 2 17 3 0 23 0 297

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 Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 224 11.0 20.4 35.3
1996 224 11.0 20.4 35.3
1997 245 12.0 20.4 6.5
1998 362 20.0 18.1 25.4
1999 375 20.0 18.8 44.3
2000 375 20.0 18.8 46.4
2001 367 20.0 18.4 45.2
2002 358 28.0 12.8 52.2
2003 358 28.0 12.8 52.2
2004 376 28.0 13.4 50
2005 353 28.0 12.6 49.3
2006 383 28.0 13.7 48.8
2007 349 21.0 16.6 50.6
2008 349 21.0 16.6 50.4
2009 346 21.0 16.5 52.9
2010 356 19.9 17.8 62.4
2011 339 18.9 17.9 60.5
2012 343 19.3 17.7 62.1
2013 360 20.2 17.7 64.7
2014 364 21.2 17.1 62.1
2015 347 21.0 16.5 99.1
2016 328 21.0 15.6 98.5
2017 310 24.1 12.8 99
2018 336 23.0 14.6 97.3
2019 326 23.7 13.7 47.9
2020 328 22.9 14.2 48.2
2021 310 21.7 14.2 32.3
2022 306 20.0 15.2 30.4
2023 316 20.3 15.4 63.6
2024 297 19.8 14.9 99

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 Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 224 11.0 20.4 35.3
1996 224 11.0 20.4 35.3
1997 245 12.0 20.4 6.5
1998 362 20.0 18.1 25.4
1999 375 20.0 18.8 44.3
2000 375 20.0 18.8 46.4
2001 367 20.0 18.4 45.2
2002 358 28.0 12.8 52.2
2003 358 28.0 12.8 52.2
2004 376 28.0 13.4 50
2005 353 28.0 12.6 49.3
2006 383 28.0 13.7 48.8
2007 349 21.0 16.6 50.6
2008 349 21.0 16.6 50.4
2009 346 21.0 16.5 52.9
2010 356 19.9 17.8 62.4
2011 339 18.9 17.9 60.5
2012 343 19.3 17.7 62.1
2013 360 20.2 17.7 64.7
2014 364 21.2 17.1 62.1
2015 347 21.0 16.5 99.1
2016 328 21.0 15.6 98.5
2017 310 24.1 12.8 99
2018 336 23.0 14.6 97.3
2019 326 23.7 13.7 47.9
2020 328 22.9 14.2 48.2
2021 310 21.7 14.2 32.3
2022 306 20.0 15.2 30.4
2023 316 20.3 15.4 63.6
2024 297 19.8 14.9 99

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 Middle

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,096 (10.7%) $9,114 (89.3%) $10,209

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Murphy 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 196th of 737 Middle schoolsRanks 271st of 784 Middle schools
 8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (Murphy Middle)6853.6
 14.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)6954
 15%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.852.3
 6.5%
6th Grade Reading (Murphy Middle)6346.4
 16.6%
   6th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)63.246.9
 16.3%
   6th Grade Reading (North Carolina)6049.3
 10.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (Murphy Middle)56.955.6
 1.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)61.259
 2.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.450.1
 8.3%
7th Grade Reading (Murphy Middle)66.757.4
 9.3%
   7th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)64.357.6
 6.7%
   7th Grade Reading (North Carolina)58.850.2
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Murphy Middle)72.654.5
 18.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County Schools)56.147.9
 8.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)52.644.8
 7.8%
8th Grade Reading (Murphy Middle)58.150.5
 7.6%
   8th Grade Reading (Cherokee County Schools)60.750.2
 10.5%
   8th Grade Reading (North Carolina)55.651
 4.6%
8th Grade Science (Murphy Middle)93.278.8
 14.4%
   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 Students326316
 3.1%
African American810
 25%
American Indian62
 66.7%
Asian23
 50%
Hispanic1521
 40%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White282260
 7.8%
Two or More Races1220
 66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.9%63.6%
 15.8%

Schools Near Murphy Middle








Frequently Asked Questions about Murphy Middle

In the 2023-24 school year, 297 students attended Murphy Middle.

Murphy Middle ranks 316th of 793 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Murphy Middle are 82% White, 8% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 3% African American, 1% American Indian.

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


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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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