Excellent
#344 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Foothills Community School
Middle School · McDowell County Schools
176 Lukin Street, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#4 of 13
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#19 of 475
In district
#5 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Foothills Community School
Foothills Community School is a public middle school in Marion, NC, part of the McDowell County Schools. The school serves approximately 196 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 70% in reading/language arts, 17 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $55,036, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 196 students, Foothills Community School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
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: 45%).
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 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: 9.6/10.
How Foothills Community School Compares
See how Foothills Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 67.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 74.5% (2025).
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. East McDowell Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, West McDowell Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.9 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 | 8.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 2.6 mi | 4.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 3.0 mi | 9.1 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 3.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 6.7 mi | 7.9 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 9.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 8.8 mi | 8.4 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 12.1 mi | — |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 13.4 mi | 7.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foothills Community 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 |
|---|---|
| Reid Ross Classical Middle Fayetteville, NC | 8.2 |
| Pamlico County Middle Bayboro, NC | 8.1 |
| South Edgecombe Middle Pinetops, NC | 8.0 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC | 8.6 |
| Piney Grove Middle School Lawsonville, NC | 8.6 |
| The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC | 8.6 |
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 is ranked #344 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Foothills Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
Foothills Community School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Foothills Community School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foothills Community School has 57.8% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 196
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 652-1040
- 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
- #5 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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