Average
#1767 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Mcdowell Middle School
Middle School · Mcdowell County Schools · Marion, NC
A Mcdowell County Schools middle school where students score 3 points above what's typical for similar communities.
346 West McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC 28752
- Math 52% vs NC 54% (2025)
- Reading 48% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at West Mcdowell Middle School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 13 points since 2020, reaching 50% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 48% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 50% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where West Mcdowell Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 30Car-Dependent
- Bike 8Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,457/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Marion), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$55,036
Median home value
$166,100
Median rent
$712/mo
College educated
16.3%
Homeownership
71.8%
Poverty rate
15.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28752; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
3 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Manna Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 4.2private | PK–12 | 2.1 mi | 195 | Compare → |
| East Mcdowell Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.8 | 6–8 | 2.6 mi | 411 | Compare → |
| Foothills Community SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.6 | 6–8 | 2.9 mi | 196 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Mcdowell County Schools
- Schools in district
- 15
- Rank in district
- #11 of 15
- District spending per student
- $13,112NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
West Mcdowell Middle School is listed in McDowell County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West Mcdowell Middle School
West Mcdowell Middle School is a public middle school in Marion, NC, part of Mcdowell County Schools, serving approximately 581 students in grades 6th-8th with a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,767 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (828) 652-3390
- Area population (ZIP 28752)
- 30,602
- Area average commute
- 24.5 min
- Area median age
- 41.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28752; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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