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7.1 avg / 10

Mcdowell County Schools School District

School District · Marion, North Carolina

Students: 5,661
Teachers (FTE): 392
Estimated Scores: 7%

Avg Rating

7.1

out of 10

Schools

15

8 elem, 3 mid, 4 high

Per-Pupil Spending

$13,112

Student-Teacher Ratio

14.4:1

How this district compares

North Carolina rank

#18 of 116

districts by avg. composite

Vs. state average

+0.7

above North Carolina avg

Per-pupil spending

$13,112

+$0 vs North Carolina median

District size

5,661 students

Typical than North Carolina median

About Mcdowell County Schools

Mcdowell County Schools is a Marion, North Carolina school district serving 15 schools. The district educates 5,661 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. The district invests $13,112 per student annually.

With an average rating of 7.1/10, Mcdowell County Schools is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.

The highest-rated school in the district is Eastfield Global Magnet School, which has a composite score of 9.1/10.

In standardized testing, Mcdowell County Schools students show an average math proficiency of 50.5% and ELA proficiency of 52.3%.

The district includes 8 elementary schools , 3 middle schools , and 4 high schools.

District Map

Schools in Mcdowell County Schools, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.

District Average Test Scores

Math Proficiency 50.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
N/A

Average proficiency across all schools in Mcdowell County Schools with test data.

District Details

City
Marion
Total Enrollment
5,661
Teachers (FTE)
392
Child Poverty Rate
0.2%
Data Year
2023

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Mcdowell County Schools?

Mcdowell County Schools has 15 schools in total — 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.

What is the average rating for Mcdowell County Schools?

The average composite rating for Mcdowell County Schools is 7.1/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.

What is the per-pupil spending in Mcdowell County Schools?

Mcdowell County Schools spends $13,112 per student per year.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Mcdowell County Schools?

The average student-teacher ratio in Mcdowell County Schools is 14.4:1.

What is the top-rated school in Mcdowell County Schools?

Eastfield Global Magnet School is the highest-rated school in Mcdowell County Schools with a composite score of 9.1/10.

What are the test scores in Mcdowell County Schools?

Across schools in Mcdowell County Schools with test data, the average math proficiency is 50.5% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 52.3%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.

How does Mcdowell County Schools compare to other districts in North Carolina?

Mcdowell County Schools has an average school rating of 7.1/10 across 15 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in North Carolina by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools?

MySchoolScout ratings are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.

District Averages

Overall Rating
7.1/10
Math Proficiency
50.5%
ELA Proficiency
52.3%

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.

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