Needs Improvement
#2633 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
High School · McDowell County Schools
346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
49.5:1
Score
2.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
49.5:1
Score
2.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,633 of 2,648
In Marion
#13 of 13
public schools
In district
#15 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Shortlisting around Mcdowell Virtual Academy?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
High School in Marion · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Mcdowell Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mcdowell High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mcdowell Virtual Academy
Mcdowell Virtual Academy is a public high school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. Mcdowell Virtual Academy serves approximately 99 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 49.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcdowell Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,633 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Mcdowell Virtual Academy show 24% math proficiency (2022 EdFacts) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
- This school 2.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 99 students, Mcdowell Virtual Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Mcdowell Virtual Academy runs 49.5:1 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 Virtual Academy 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mcdowell Virtual Academy — Students at Mcdowell Virtual Academy score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 2 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
How Mcdowell Virtual Academy Compares
See how Mcdowell Virtual Academy 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
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 9.4/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McDowell Early College (rated 9.0/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McDowell High School (rated 6.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.5 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.9 mi | 8.6 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.6 mi | 5.7 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 6.2 mi | 4.5 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 5.3 mi | 9.0 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 5.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 6.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 6.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 9.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 12.7 mi | 8.0 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 11.7 mi | — |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 12.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 14.7 mi | 6.4 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carter High School Winston-Salem, NC | 3.1 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin, NC | 3.8 |
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 ranks #2,633 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mcdowell Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 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 Virtual Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcdowell Virtual Academy has 24% math proficiency (2022 EdFacts) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.5%
- Phone
- (828) 652-3390
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.