Very Good
#620 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 23% in state
West Marion Elementary School
Elementary School · McDowell County Schools
820 Marler Road, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#5 of 13
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#536 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 15
McDowell County Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About West Marion Elementary School
West Marion Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural outskirts of Marion, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 393 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, West Marion provides a supportive learning environment with 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students.
Academically, the school is ranked at #1443 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 46th percentile overall. The MySchoolScout rating for West Marion Elementary is 5.4 out of 10, and its academic score stands at 4.4 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 43% meet the same standard in Math.
West Marion Elementary School is situated in a quiet rural area near Marion, offering a close-knit community atmosphere for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Marion 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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: 45%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How West Marion Elementary School Compares
See how West Marion Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 49.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 46.6% (2025).
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 9.1/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Fort Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Old Fort), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marion Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 8.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 4.9 mi | 7.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 5.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 5.6 mi | 5.7 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 5.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.7 mi | 8.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 5.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 6.2 mi | 9.1 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 6.1 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 6.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 6.6 mi | 8.4 |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Mills | 10.3 mi | — |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 9.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 11.5 mi | — |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 11.7 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Marion 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 |
|---|---|
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton, NC | 7.7 |
| Celeste Henkel Elementary Statesville, NC | 7.7 |
| Cloverleaf Elementary Statesville, NC | 7.7 |
| E M Yoder Elementary Mebane, NC | 7.7 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville, NC | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #620 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Marion Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Marion Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 West Marion Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Marion Elementary School has 42.7% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 738-3353
- 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
- #7 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.