Cherokee Central Elementary School

625 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Cherokee Central Elementary School, located in Cherokee, North Carolina, serves as a vital educational institution within the Cherokee Central Schools system. Situated on the Qualla Boundary, the school is deeply integrated into the culture and traditions of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The school’s mission focuses on providing a nurturing environment where students can achieve academic excellence while simultaneously fostering a strong sense of cultural identity, language preservation, and community pride.

The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that balances state educational standards with culturally responsive instruction. By incorporating Cherokee language and history into their daily programming, the school ensures that students remain connected to their heritage as they prepare for future academic success. With a commitment to both the intellectual and personal growth of its students, Cherokee Central Elementary acts as a cornerstone for the local community, promoting a legacy of learning that honors the past while embracing the opportunities of the future.

625

Total Students

30.5

Full-Time Teachers

20.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

96.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Cherokee Central Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
American Indian	625

American Indian
625 (100.0 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Cherokee Central Elementary School
Phone:	(828)554-5020
Website:	http://ccs-nc.org
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	625
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	30.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	20.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	604
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 91

Grade 1 103

Grade 2 111

Grade 3 111

Grade 4 114

Grade 5 95