Excellent
#183 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 7% in state
Foothills Community School
Middle School · McDowell County Schools
176 Lukin Street, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#183 of 2,648
In Marion
#3 of 13
public schools
In district
#3 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Foothills Community School
Middle School in Marion · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
New Manna Christian School
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Marion Elementary School
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Foothills Community School
Foothills Community School is a public middle school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Foothills Community School serves approximately 196 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Foothills Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #183 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Foothills Community School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
At 196 students, Foothills Community School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Foothills Community School — Students at Foothills Community School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 26 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: 10.0/10.
How Foothills Community School Compares
See how Foothills Community 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
176 Lukin Street, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foothills Community School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. West McDowell Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, East McDowell Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 2.9 mi | 2.3 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 3.7 mi | 9.0 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 3.7 mi | 9.4 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 6.7 mi | 6.5 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 9.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 8.8 mi | 7.7 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 12.1 mi | — |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 13.4 mi | 7.1 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 14.0 mi | — |
| ASHEVILLE ACADEMY Black Mountain | 13.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 15.6 mi | 8.0 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park, NC | 8.5 |
| Montford North Star Academy Asheville, NC | 8.3 |
| Reid Ross Classical Middle Fayetteville, NC | 8.3 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC | 8.9 |
| Brown Summit Middle Browns Summit, NC | 9.1 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC | 9.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foothills Community School
What grades does Foothills Community School serve?
Foothills Community School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Foothills Community School?
Foothills Community School has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foothills Community School?
The student-teacher ratio at Foothills Community School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Foothills Community School rank in NC?
Foothills Community School ranks #183 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Foothills Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
Foothills Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Foothills Community School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Foothills Community School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).
Is Foothills Community School a charter school?
No, Foothills Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Foothills Community School a Title I school?
No, Foothills Community School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foothills Community School?
98.5% of students at Foothills Community 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 196
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.4%
- Phone
- (828) 652-1040
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #3 of 15
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