Average
#1404 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
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,384
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,404 of 2,648
In Marion
#6 of 13
public schools
In district
#8 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
7.4 / 10
Very Good
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Mcdowell High School
High School in Marion · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Mcdowell Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mcdowell High School
Mcdowell High School is a public high school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Mcdowell High School serves approximately 1,384 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcdowell High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,404 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Mcdowell High School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Mcdowell High School 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.
31% of students at Mcdowell High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Mcdowell High School — Students at Mcdowell High School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 28 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: 7.3/10.
How Mcdowell High School Compares
See how Mcdowell High School 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
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 9.4/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McDowell Early College (rated 9.0/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McDowell Virtual Academy (rated 2.3/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.5 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 0.3 mi | 2.3 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.4 mi | 5.7 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 5.0 mi | 9.0 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 5.0 mi | 9.4 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 6.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 9.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 13.0 mi | 8.0 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 12.0 mi | — |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 13.1 mi | 5.0 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 14.7 mi | — |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 15.0 mi | 6.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Cape Fear High Fayetteville, NC | 6.2 |
| James Hunt High Wilson, NC | 6.2 |
| West Carteret High Morehead City, NC | 6.2 |
| Western Alamance High Elon, NC | 6.2 |
| East Duplin High Beulaville, NC | 6.3 |
| Eugene Ashley High Wilmington, NC | 6.3 |
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 ranks #1,404 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mcdowell High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdowell High School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.1%
- Phone
- (828) 652-7920
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #8 of 15
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