Below Average
#2094 of 2,648 schools in NC
East Mcdowell Middle School
Middle School · McDowell County Schools
676 State Street, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,094 of 2,648
In Marion
#11 of 13
public schools
In district
#13 of 15
McDowell County Schools
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East Mcdowell Middle School
Middle School in Marion · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Eastfield Global Magnet School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Manna Christian School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About East Mcdowell Middle School
East Mcdowell Middle School is a public middle school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. East Mcdowell Middle School serves approximately 411 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. East Mcdowell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,094 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for East Mcdowell Middle School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
45% of students at East Mcdowell Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How East Mcdowell Middle School Compares
See how East Mcdowell Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West McDowell Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.2 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 0.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 2.9 mi | 9.0 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 2.9 mi | 9.4 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 2.6 mi | 2.3 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 4.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 5.2 mi | 5.1 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.8 mi | 5.7 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 7.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 11.1 mi | 7.7 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Currituck County Middle Barco, NC | 4.8 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory, NC | 4.8 |
| Hope Mills Middle Hope Mills, NC | 4.8 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton, NC | 4.8 |
| South Davie Middle Mocksville, NC | 4.8 |
| Southeastern Randolph Middle School Ramseur, NC | 4.8 |
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 ranks #2,094 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is East Mcdowell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
East Mcdowell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at East Mcdowell Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, East Mcdowell Middle School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.5%
- Phone
- (828) 652-7711
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #13 of 15
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