Very Good
#967 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 37% in state
East Mcdowell Middle School
Middle School · McDowell County Schools
676 State Street, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#7 of 13
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#103 of 475
In district
#9 of 15
McDowell County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About East Mcdowell Middle School
East McDowell Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Marion, North Carolina. It serves students in grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 411 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. The school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
East McDowell Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, placing it at the 38th percentile among North Carolina schools in terms of state ranking (#1646 out of 2661). In academic performance, students have shown proficiency rates of 43% in ELA/Reading and 38% in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, East McDowell Middle School is focusing on developing its curriculum to better support student growth.
East McDowell Middle School is situated in a town setting, offering a close-knit community environment where students can engage with their peers and teachers in a supportive learning atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
East Mcdowell Middle School — Students at East Mcdowell Middle School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.
How East Mcdowell Middle School Compares
See how East Mcdowell Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 41.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 45.2% (2025).
Location
676 State Street, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East Mcdowell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Foothills Community School (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West McDowell Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 0.6 mi | 9.1 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 0.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 2.9 mi | 8.6 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 4.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 5.2 mi | 6.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.8 mi | 7.7 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 7.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 11.1 mi | 8.4 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 13.6 mi | — |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 14.0 mi | 8.0 |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 11.6 mi | 5.9 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 12.1 mi | — |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 12.4 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28752 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,036
Median Home Value
$166,100
Median Rent
$712/mo
Population
30,602
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
71.8%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding East Mcdowell Middle School has a median household income of $55,036. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,100, with a median rent of $712/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Middle School Gatesville, NC | 7.1 |
| East Wilkes Middle School Ronda, NC | 7.1 |
| Greenwood Middle Goldsboro, NC | 7.1 |
| Hope Mills Middle Hope Mills, NC | 7.1 |
| Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy, NC | 7.1 |
| Wilson STEM Academy Charlotte, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East Mcdowell Middle School
What grades does East Mcdowell Middle School serve?
East Mcdowell Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend East Mcdowell Middle School?
East Mcdowell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 411 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East Mcdowell Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at East Mcdowell Middle School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East Mcdowell Middle School rank in NC?
East Mcdowell Middle School is ranked #967 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Mcdowell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
East Mcdowell Middle School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at East Mcdowell Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Mcdowell Middle School has 37.8% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is East Mcdowell Middle School a charter school?
No, East Mcdowell Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East Mcdowell Middle School a Title I school?
No, East Mcdowell Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Mcdowell Middle School?
99.3% of students at East Mcdowell Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 411
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 652-7711
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #9 of 15
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 methodologyRelated reading
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