Below Average
#2420 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mcdowell High School
High School · McDowell County Schools
600 McDowell High School Dr, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
1,384
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,384
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#13 of 13
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#468 of 579
In district
#15 of 15
McDowell County Schools
About Mcdowell High School
McDowell High School serves 1,384 students in grades 9 through 12 in Marion, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4 to 1 across its 90 full-time equivalent teachers. This public high school ranks in the 45th percentile among North Carolina's high schools, with room for academic growth as the school works to strengthen student achievement. Currently, 43% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts while 40% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 reflects ongoing efforts to support student development across all academic areas. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $53,910 and median home values average $152,600. About 18% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 15.5%.
These demographics provide context for understanding both the challenges and opportunities the school faces in serving its diverse student population. McDowell High School sits in a rural setting near the town of Marion in McDowell County, offering students a close-knit educational environment surrounded by the natural beauty of western North Carolina's mountain region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mcdowell High 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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Mcdowell High School — Students at Mcdowell High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How Mcdowell High School Compares
See how Mcdowell High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 21.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 43.4% (2025).
Location
600 McDowell High School Dr, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mcdowell High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McDowell Academy for Innovation (rated 8.6/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McDowell Early College (rated 7.1/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McDowell Virtual Academy (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 2.9 mi | 9.1 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.4 mi | 7.7 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 5.0 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 5.0 mi | 8.6 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 6.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 6.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 9.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 13.0 mi | 8.0 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 12.0 mi | — |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 13.1 mi | 6.0 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 14.7 mi | — |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 15.0 mi | 7.1 |
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 Mcdowell High 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 |
|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
| Cleveland High Clayton, NC | 4.2 |
| East Wake High Wendell, NC | 4.2 |
| Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC | 4.2 |
| Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown, NC | 4.2 |
| Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mcdowell High School
What grades does Mcdowell High School serve?
Mcdowell High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mcdowell High School?
Mcdowell High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcdowell High School rank in NC?
Mcdowell High School is ranked #2420 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mcdowell High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Mcdowell High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcdowell High School has 41.2% math proficiency and 51.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mcdowell High School a charter school?
No, Mcdowell High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcdowell High School a Title I school?
No, Mcdowell High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdowell High School?
99.5% of students at Mcdowell High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 90
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 652-7920
- 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
- #15 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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