Excellent
#12 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation
High School · Mcdowell County Schools · Marion, NC
A Mcdowell County Schools high school where students score 49 points above what's typical for similar communities.
54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752
- Math 98% vs NC 56% (2025)
- Reading 95% vs NC 54% (2025)
- 50%+ 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Mcdowell Academy for Innovation score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ ImprovingProficiency has improved 69 points since 2019, reaching 96% in 2025, across a 8-year record (2018–2025).
Show all 5 years by subject
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 57% (multi-year average, 2018-2025) · reading/ELA 67% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
97.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Mcdowell Academy for Innovation sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 13Car-Dependent
- Bike 14Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,457/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Marion), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$55,036
Median home value
$166,100
Median rent
$712/mo
College educated
16.3%
Homeownership
71.8%
Poverty rate
15.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28752; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Mcdowell County Schools
- Schools in district
- 15
- Rank in district
- #1 of 15
- District spending per student
- $13,112NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation is listed in McDowell County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Mcdowell Academy for Innovation
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation is a public high school in Marion, NC, part of Mcdowell County Schools, serving approximately 126 students in grades 9th-UG with a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #12 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Mcdowell Academy for Innovation
What grades does Mcdowell Academy for Innovation serve?
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Mcdowell Academy for Innovation?
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Academy for Innovation?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Academy for Innovation is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcdowell Academy for Innovation rank in NC?
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation ranks #12 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mcdowell Academy for Innovation's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 Mcdowell Academy for Innovation?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdowell Academy for Innovation has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
Is Mcdowell Academy for Innovation a charter school?
No, Mcdowell Academy for Innovation is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcdowell Academy for Innovation a Title I school?
No, Mcdowell Academy for Innovation is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdowell Academy for Innovation?
97.6% of students at Mcdowell Academy for Innovation qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 126
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 3.2%
- Phone
- (828) 659-0411
- 4-Year Graduation
- 50%+
- Area population (ZIP 28752)
- 30,602
- Area average commute
- 24.5 min
- Area median age
- 41.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28752; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2018-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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