Average
#1767 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Mcdowell Middle School
Middle School · McDowell County Schools
346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,767 of 2,648
In Marion
#9 of 13
public schools
In district
#11 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
7.1 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around West Mcdowell Middle School?
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.
West Mcdowell Middle School
Middle School in Marion · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
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 West Mcdowell Middle School
West Mcdowell Middle School is a public middle school in Marion, NC, part of McDowell County Schools. West Mcdowell Middle School serves approximately 581 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. West Mcdowell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,767 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for West Mcdowell Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
West Mcdowell Middle 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.
32% of students at West Mcdowell Middle 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 Mcdowell Middle School — Students at West Mcdowell Middle School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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: 4.0/10.
How West Mcdowell Middle School Compares
See how West Mcdowell Middle 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
346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Mcdowell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Foothills Community School (rated 8.6/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harris Middle (rated 6.4/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East McDowell Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McDowell Virtual Academy Marion | 0.0 mi | 2.3 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| North Asheboro Middle Asheboro, NC | 5.5 |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City, NC | 5.5 |
| Western Harnett Middle Lillington, NC | 5.5 |
| Anne Chesnutt Middle Fayetteville, NC | 5.4 |
| E B Aycock Middle Greenville, NC | 5.4 |
| East Rutherford Middle School Bostic, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Mcdowell Middle School
What grades does West Mcdowell Middle School serve?
West Mcdowell Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend West Mcdowell Middle School?
West Mcdowell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Mcdowell Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Mcdowell Middle School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Mcdowell Middle School rank in NC?
West Mcdowell Middle School ranks #1,767 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Mcdowell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Mcdowell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Mcdowell Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Mcdowell Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is West Mcdowell Middle School a charter school?
No, West Mcdowell Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Mcdowell Middle School a Title I school?
No, West Mcdowell Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Mcdowell Middle School?
99.5% of students at West Mcdowell Middle 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- 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
- #11 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.