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Average

#1789 of 2,648 schools in NC

Mcdowell Virtual Academy

High School · McDowell County Schools

346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752

Virtual Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in Marion. Learn more

Enrollment

99

Student-Teacher

49.5:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marion

#11 of 13

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#229 of 579

In district

#13 of 15

McDowell County Schools

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Mcdowell Virtual Academy

McDowell Virtual Academy is a rural public school located in Marion, North Carolina, serving students from grades 6 through 12. With an enrollment of just 99 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 49.5:1, the school offers personalized learning opportunities that are often rare in larger institutions. McDowell Virtual Academy has two full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

The school's setting is in a quiet rural area near the town of Marion, providing a peaceful environment conducive to focused study and virtual learning. While academic performance data isn't available for detailed analysis, McDowell Virtual Academy continues to focus on meeting the unique needs of each learner, fostering an inclusive and supportive educational community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 99 students, Mcdowell Virtual Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Virtual Academy is 49.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Mcdowell Virtual Academy 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

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics7.2Very Good29%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 12 schools in Marion
College Readiness7.8Very Good43%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio49.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,857

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Mcdowell Virtual Academy Compares

See how Mcdowell Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
33th percentile in NC
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
50:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcdowell Virtual Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McDowell Academy for Innovation (rated 8.6/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McDowell Early College (rated 7.1/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McDowell High School (rated 4.2/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.8 mi
School Distance Rating
West McDowell Middle School Marion 0.0 mi 6.6
McDowell High School Marion 0.3 mi 4.2
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion 1.8 mi 7.2
Marion Elementary School Marion 2.0 mi 8.2
NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion 2.1 mi 4.2
Foothills Community School Marion 2.9 mi 8.2
East McDowell Middle School Marion 2.6 mi 7.1
Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion 3.2 mi 9.1
West Marion Elementary School Marion 5.6 mi 7.7
North Cove Elementary School Marion 6.2 mi 4.7
McDowell Early College Marion 5.3 mi 7.1
McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion 5.3 mi 8.6
Glenwood Elementary School Marion 6.9 mi 6.2
Nebo Elementary School Nebo 6.3 mi 7.9
Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort 9.3 mi 8.4
Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine 12.7 mi 8.0
ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville 11.7 mi
South Toe Elementary Burnsville 12.7 mi 6.0
Harris Middle Spruce Pine 14.7 mi 7.1
TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine 14.8 mi 5.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcdowell Virtual Academy 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
Burke Middle College Morganton, NC 5.7
C Joyner Greene Education Center Jamestown, NC 5.8
Lakeview School Durham, NC 5.8
NERSBA Early College Jamesville, NC 5.8
Phillips High Raleigh, NC 5.8
The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney Carthage, NC 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcdowell Virtual Academy

What grades does Mcdowell Virtual Academy serve?

Mcdowell Virtual Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Mcdowell Virtual Academy?

Mcdowell Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Virtual Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Virtual Academy is 49.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcdowell Virtual Academy rank in NC?

Mcdowell Virtual Academy is ranked #1789 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mcdowell Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcdowell Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 5.7 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.

Is Mcdowell Virtual Academy a charter school?

No, Mcdowell Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mcdowell Virtual Academy a Title I school?

No, Mcdowell Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdowell Virtual Academy?

63.6% of students at Mcdowell Virtual Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,457/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher Ratio
49.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
McDowell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McDowell County Schools
District Enrollment
5,661
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,112
District Rank
#13 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 methodology

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