Average
#1247 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
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
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#9 of 13
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#160 of 475
In district
#11 of 15
McDowell County Schools
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About West Mcdowell Middle School
West McDowell Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Marion, North Carolina, within McDowell County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 581 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers a supportive learning environment.
West McDowell Middle School’s academic performance is rated at 4.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout.com, placing it in the 38th percentile among North Carolina schools. In reading and ELA, 47% of students are proficient or above, while 46% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth at West McDowell Middle School.
The school is situated in a rural area near the town of Marion, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere. Despite its challenges, West McDowell Middle School remains committed to supporting and developing the educational needs of its diverse student population.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Mcdowell Middle 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
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: 45%).
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 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: 6.1/10.
How West Mcdowell Middle School Compares
See how West Mcdowell Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 52% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 47.7% (2025).
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 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East McDowell Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harris Middle (rated 7.1/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.7 |
| McDowell High School Marion | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School Marion | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Marion Elementary School Marion | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Foothills Community School Marion | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| East McDowell Middle School Marion | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion | 3.2 mi | 9.1 |
| West Marion Elementary School Marion | 5.6 mi | 7.7 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 6.2 mi | 4.7 |
| McDowell Early College Marion | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation Marion | 5.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion | 6.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Nebo Elementary School Nebo | 6.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Old Fort Elementary School Old Fort | 9.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 12.7 mi | 8.0 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 11.7 mi | — |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 12.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 14.7 mi | 7.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Mcdowell Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Havelock Middle Havelock, NC | 6.6 |
| Lucas Middle Durham, NC | 6.6 |
| Nash Central Middle Nashville, NC | 6.6 |
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring, NC | 6.6 |
| South View Middle Hope Mills, NC | 6.6 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough, NC | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #1247 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Mcdowell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Mcdowell Middle School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Mcdowell Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Mcdowell Middle School has 46.1% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,457/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 652-3390
- 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
- #11 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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