Peachtree Elementary

Peachtree Elementary is one of the rural-scale K-5 schools in Murphy, North Carolina, run under Cherokee County Schools, with 166 students on its rolls from grades pre-K through 5. That puts it 64% leaner than the typical public school in North Carolina, which averages around 467 students.

Peachtree Elementary is one of 13 schools operated by Cherokee County Schools, a district that caters to 2,992 students overall.

Demographically, Peachtree Elementary logs that nearly all students (86%) are White. The remainder looks like 7% Hispanic, 4% multiracial.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school currently runs with 14 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 11.7:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 14.9:1, putting Peachtree Elementary tighter than the state norm the norm. Roughly 98% of students at Peachtree Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal.

After controlling for student poverty, Peachtree Elementary is in the OUTPERFORMING tier of the BeatsExpectations model, which fits a per-state line through proficiency and FRL share. Schools with this campus's poverty mix typically land near 49.0%; this one delivers 72.3%, a residual of +23.3 points.

In the broader community, census data for Cherokee County shows the typical household earns roughly $53,628 per year, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 7%. Across Cherokee County's 13 public schools (combined enrollment of about 2,992 students), Peachtree Elementary is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Tri-County Early College High, roughly 2.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 5 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Peachtree Elementary at 2nd of 8; the average score across the group is 58.9%.

Geographically, the school is in a small-town area.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Peachtree Elementary has climbed 7%, going from 155 students in 2018 to 166 in 2025. Class-load math has rose: from 10.3:1 in 2018 to 11.7:1 in 2025.

On this page, recent activity here tends to focus on science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.