For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 1,620 students in Cherokee County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Cherokee County, NC are Peachtree Elementary School, Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School and Murphy Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cherokee County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Peachtree Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
30 Upper Peachtree Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2479
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2479
Gr: PK-5 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
337 Blue Eagle Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5115
Gr: PK-8 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Murphy Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Valley River Avenue
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2424
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2424
Gr: PK-5 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Ranger Elementary Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 Hardy Truett Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 644-5111
Gr: PK-8 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Martins Creek Elementary/mid
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1459 Tobe Stalcup Road
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2831
Gr: PK-8 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Andrews Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 Jean Christy Ave.
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-4415
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-4415
Gr: PK-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2230 Airport Road
Marble, NC 28905
(828) 837-5485
Marble, NC 28905
(828) 837-5485
Gr: PK-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Cherokee County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Cherokee County, NC include Peachtree Elementary School, Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School and Murphy Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Cherokee County?
6 public preschools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public preschools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Cherokee County include: Andrews Elementary School vs. Murphy Elementary School, Hiwassee Dam Elementary Middle School vs. Martins Creek Elementary/mid, Ranger Elementary Middle School vs. Martins Creek Elementary/mid
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