Average
#1667 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Marion Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
820 Marler Road, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,667 of 2,648
In Marion
#8 of 13
public schools
In district
#10 of 15
McDowell County Schools
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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West Marion Elementary School
Elementary School in Marion · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Foothills Community School
3.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West Marion Elementary School
West Marion Elementary School is a public elementary school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. West Marion Elementary School serves approximately 393 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. West Marion Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,667 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for West Marion Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
West Marion Elementary 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.
34% of students at West Marion Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Marion Elementary School — Students at West Marion Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How West Marion Elementary School Compares
See how West Marion Elementary 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
820 Marler Road, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Marion Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastfield Global Magnet School (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Fort Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Old Fort), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pinnacle Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Foothills Community School Marion | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 4.9 mi | 6.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 5.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 4.5 mi | 5.1 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 5.6 mi | 5.5 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 5.6 mi | 2.3 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 5.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 5.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 6.2 mi | 8.2 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 6.1 mi | 9.0 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 6.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 6.6 mi | 7.7 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 10.3 mi | — |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 9.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 11.5 mi | — |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 11.7 mi | 4.5 |
| ASHEVILLE ACADEMY Black Mountain | 10.4 mi | 6.9 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 15.5 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 5.7 |
| East Garner Elementary Garner, NC | 5.7 |
| Fox Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.7 |
| Green Ridge Elementary Biscoe, NC | 5.7 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia, NC | 5.7 |
| Royal Elementary Louisburg, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Marion Elementary School
What grades does West Marion Elementary School serve?
West Marion Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Marion Elementary School?
West Marion Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 393 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Marion Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Marion Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Marion Elementary School rank in NC?
West Marion Elementary School ranks #1,667 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Marion Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Marion Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 West Marion Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Marion Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is West Marion Elementary School a charter school?
No, West Marion Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Marion Elementary School a Title I school?
No, West Marion Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Marion Elementary School?
99.2% of students at West Marion 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 393
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (828) 738-3353
Resources & Links
District
McDowell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,661
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,112
- District Rank
- #10 of 15
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