Below Average
#2264 of 2,648 schools in NC
North Cove Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
401 American Thread Road, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#12 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,370 of 1,474
In district
#14 of 15
McDowell County Schools
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About North Cove Elementary School
North Cove Elementary School is a rural public elementary school nestled in Marion, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 221 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's educational needs. North Cove Elementary has 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement—with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 44%—the school remains committed to student development and growth. Math proficiency stands at 42%, indicating areas where further educational enhancement is needed. North Cove Elementary School thrives in its rural setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere that encourages collaboration between teachers, students, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Cove Elementary 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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North Cove Elementary School — Students at North Cove Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 2.8/10.
How North Cove Elementary School Compares
See how North Cove Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 43.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 41.3% (2025).
Location
401 American Thread Road, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Cove Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 9.1/10, 7.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marion Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greenlee Primary (rated 8.0/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 6.2 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 6.2 mi | 5.7 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 6.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 6.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 7.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 7.0 mi | 7.2 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 7.2 mi | 4.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 7.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 7.6 mi | 9.1 |
| TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 8.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 7.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 9.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 8.8 mi | 7.1 |
| SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine | 8.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine | 10.1 mi | 5.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 10.1 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 10.1 mi | 8.6 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 8.8 mi | — |
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 North Cove Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Glade Creek Elementary Ennice, NC | 4.7 |
| Mount Pleasant Elementary School Ferguson, NC | 4.7 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary Burlington, NC | 4.7 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory, NC | 4.7 |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury, NC | 4.7 |
| Coleridge Elementary School Ramseur, NC | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Cove Elementary School
What grades does North Cove Elementary School serve?
North Cove Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend North Cove Elementary School?
North Cove Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 221 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Cove Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Cove Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Cove Elementary School rank in NC?
North Cove Elementary School is ranked #2264 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Cove Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Cove Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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.
What are the test scores at North Cove Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Cove Elementary School has 41.8% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Cove Elementary School a charter school?
No, North Cove Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Cove Elementary School a Title I school?
No, North Cove Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Cove Elementary School?
98.6% of students at North Cove Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (3,457/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 221
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (828) 756-4342
- 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
- #14 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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