Average
#1507 of 2,648 schools in NC
Glenwood Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
1545 Old Hwy 221 South, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#10 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,073 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 15
McDowell County Schools
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Glenwood Elementary School
Glenwood Elementary School is a regular public school located in Marion, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 429 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Glenwood provides a relatively small class setting that supports individual attention for each child. The school boasts 30 full-time equivalent teachers who work to foster a nurturing environment conducive to learning.
Academically, Glenwood Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and is ranked at the 31st percentile among North Carolina schools, with an academic score of 4.6 out of 10. The school shows that 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet these standards in Math. While there's room for improvement in test scores, the community values a well-rounded education focusing on student development and growth.
Situated in a rural area near Marion, Glenwood Elementary School is part of the close-knit McDowell County community where students benefit from a tight-knit school atmosphere and supportive neighborhood environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Glenwood Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Glenwood Elementary School — Students at Glenwood Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is above 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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How Glenwood Elementary School Compares
See how Glenwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 51.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47.8% (2025).
Location
1545 Old Hwy 221 South, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Glenwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 9.1/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Fort Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Old Fort), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marion Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McDowell Early College Marion | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 3.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 4.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 5.0 mi | 9.1 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 5.3 mi | 4.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 4.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.6 mi | 8.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 6.5 mi | 4.2 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 6.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 7.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 7.4 mi | 7.2 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 8.4 mi | — |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 10.3 mi | 7.8 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 11.3 mi | — |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 12.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 11.2 mi | 8.4 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 11.7 mi | — |
| R-S Central High School Rutherfordton | 14.6 mi | 4.7 |
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 Glenwood Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville, NC | 6.2 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC | 6.2 |
| Brooks Global Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.2 |
| Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton, NC | 6.2 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia, NC | 6.2 |
| Cooleemee Elementary Cooleemee, NC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Glenwood Elementary School
What grades does Glenwood Elementary School serve?
Glenwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Glenwood Elementary School?
Glenwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 429 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Glenwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Glenwood Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Glenwood Elementary School rank in NC?
Glenwood Elementary School is ranked #1507 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Glenwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Glenwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Glenwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glenwood Elementary School has 47.3% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Glenwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Glenwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Glenwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Glenwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Glenwood Elementary School?
99.3% of students at Glenwood Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (3,457/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 429
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 738-4220
- 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
- #12 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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