Average
#1789 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
High School · McDowell County Schools
346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752
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
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
49.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
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
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.
Funding & Resources
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 652-3390
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated 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.