Excellent
#69 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Mcdowell Early College
High School · McDowell County Schools
54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – UG
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#69 of 2,648
In Marion
#2 of 13
public schools
In district
#2 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Mcdowell Early College
High School in Marion · grades 9th – UG. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mcdowell Academy for Innovation
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Eastfield Global Magnet School
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mcdowell Early College
Mcdowell Early College is a public high school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Mcdowell Early College serves approximately 229 students, and covers grades 9th-UG, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcdowell Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #69 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Mcdowell Early College show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.0 · Excellent
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Mcdowell Early College runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Mcdowell Early College sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mcdowell Early College — Students at Mcdowell Early College score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 9.5/10.
How Mcdowell Early College Compares
See how Mcdowell Early College 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
54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mcdowell Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McDowell Academy for Innovation (rated 9.4/10), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McDowell High School (rated 6.2/10, 5.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, McDowell Virtual Academy (rated 2.3/10, 5.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 0.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 3.2 mi | 5.1 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 3.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 5.0 mi | 6.2 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 5.3 mi | 2.3 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 6.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 6.6 mi | 6.2 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 10.1 mi | 4.5 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 11.4 mi | — |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 10.1 mi | — |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 11.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 13.4 mi | 7.1 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 11.8 mi | 6.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy Lexington, NC | 9.0 |
| Greene Early College High Snow Hill, NC | 9.1 |
| UNCG Early/Middle College Greensboro, NC | 9.1 |
| Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy Raleigh, NC | 8.9 |
| Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson, NC | 9.1 |
| Durham School of Technology Durham, NC | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mcdowell Early College
What grades does Mcdowell Early College serve?
Mcdowell Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Mcdowell Early College?
Mcdowell Early College has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Early College is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcdowell Early College rank in NC?
Mcdowell Early College ranks #69 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mcdowell Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Early College?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdowell Early College has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Mcdowell Early College a charter school?
No, Mcdowell Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcdowell Early College a Title I school?
No, Mcdowell Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdowell Early College?
98.7% of students at Mcdowell Early College 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
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 229
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 2.2%
- Phone
- (828) 659-0411
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #2 of 15
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