The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Science. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Andrews Elementary
Andrews Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Andrews, a small mountain town in Cherokee County's western reaches. The school draws students almost entirely from low-income households, with an overwhelming majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, multiracial, Black, and American Indian students. The enrollment is small for its grade span, typical of rural mountain schools in the region.
Andrews sits in a laid-back mountain setting bordered by the Valley River, with rolling foothills and meadows surrounding the town. The community offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and a walkable historic Main Street anchored by brick storefronts, antique shops, restaurants, and galleries. The local economy centers on manufacturing, health care, and retail; major employers include Industrial Opportunities, Inc., which employs disabled adults in precision manufacturing, and Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in nearby Peachtree. The town has been roughly flat to declining in population but local leaders express optimism about new housing and business development. Housing values in the 28901 zip code are below the state average, making the area relatively affordable for families buying or renting, though like most rural areas Andrews relies heavily on personal vehicles for transportation.
State assessment data for grades three through five shows proficiency rates below state norms. In mathematics, about four in ten students demonstrated proficiency; in English language arts, the rate was also roughly four in ten. Science proficiency was somewhat higher, at about one in two, though the science assessment changed format and scoring standards this year, so direct comparison to prior years is not available. These proficiency levels place the school well below what most families would hope for, and a parent considering Andrews would want to investigate the school's instructional approach, whether specific subjects receive targeted support, and what early literacy or numeracy interventions are in place for the elementary grades.
The school sits within Cherokee County Schools, a small rural district that has undergone significant structural changes in recent years. In January 2023, after public pressure, the school board reversed a prior decision to consolidate three small community high schools, keeping Andrews High School, Murphy High School, and Hiwassee Dam High School as separate institutions. This choice preserves smaller school communities and shorter commutes for families. More recently, in January 2024, the board reorganized multiple K-8 campuses into separate elementary and middle configurations, a lasting shift affecting bus routes and school assignments across the county. Concurrently, county commissioners moved to redirect a dedicated education sales tax stream from schools to the county's general fund, a funding change that will constrain the district's capacity for facilities, staffing, and program expansion.
Andrews Elementary is a regular public school with no magnet or charter designation. The school website was not available in the data provided. Program and staffing details were not supplied. The school's role in the community, its daily rhythm, and its approach to family engagement would benefit from direct contact with the school itself.
See more original research from School Decision →