Excellent
#343 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Marion Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
209 Robert Street, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#3 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#310 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Marion Elementary School
Marion Elementary School is a public elementary school in Marion, NC, part of the McDowell County Schools. The school serves approximately 356 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.1th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, matching the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Marion Elementary School — Students at Marion Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
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: 8.5/10.
How Marion Elementary School Compares
See how Marion Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 70.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 56.9% (2025).
Location
209 Robert Street, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Marion Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 9.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Old Fort Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Old Fort), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Greenlee Primary (rated 8.0/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), with a very similar rating. 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 | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 1.2 mi | 9.1 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 3.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.7 mi | 7.7 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 7.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 10.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 13.6 mi | 8.0 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 13.9 mi | — |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 12.2 mi | 5.9 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 13.5 mi | — |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 15.6 mi | 7.8 |
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 Marion 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 |
|---|---|
| Cameron Elementary Cameron, NC | 8.2 |
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas, NC | 8.2 |
| DUKE SCHOOL Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus Charlotte, NC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Marion Elementary School
What grades does Marion Elementary School serve?
Marion Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Marion Elementary School?
Marion Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Marion Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Marion Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Marion Elementary School rank in NC?
Marion Elementary School is ranked #343 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Marion Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Marion Elementary 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 Marion Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marion Elementary School has 63.7% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Marion Elementary School a charter school?
No, Marion Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Marion Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Marion Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marion Elementary School?
99.2% of students at Marion 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 356
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 652-2141
- 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
- #4 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.