Average
#1743 of 2,842 schools in PA
Mcdowell HS
High School · Millcreek Township SD
3580 West 38th St, Erie, PA 16506
Enrollment
2,161
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,161
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Erie
#15 of 34
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#336 of 641
In district
#8 of 9
Millcreek Township SD
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Mcdowell HS
McDowell High School serves 2,161 students in grades 9 through 12 in Erie, Pennsylvania, operating as one of the larger comprehensive high schools in the region. With 140 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a reasonable 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interaction. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #638 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.
Students show strong literacy skills with 70% achieving proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 64% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's 8.4 out of 10 academic score, indicating consistent educational delivery across grade levels. McDowell High School draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $83,782 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding 16506 zip code area, home to over 24,000 residents, maintains a low poverty rate of just 6.6% and median home values around $215,800. Located at 3580 West 38th Street, the school sits in Erie County's mid-size suburban setting, providing students with a blend of community stability and educational opportunity.
What Parents Should Know
Mcdowell HS is a large school with 2,161 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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Mcdowell HS — Students at Mcdowell HS score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from PA 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: 5.1/10.
How Mcdowell HS Compares
See how Mcdowell HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 78% (2019) to 76% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 49.5% (2021).
Location
3580 West 38th St, Erie, PA 16506
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mcdowell HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ERIE DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tracy El Sch (rated 7.9/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VILLA MARIA ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Erie, see our Erie schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTH HILLS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC Erie | 0.1 mi | — |
| Grandview El Sch Erie | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| OUR LADY OF PEACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Erie | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Erie | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| COMMUNITY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Erie | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Asbury El Sch Fairview | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Montessori Regional CS Erie | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Walnut Creek MS Fairview | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| VILLA MARIA ACADEMY Erie | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Tracy El Sch Erie | 2.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Westlake MS Erie | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| LEADERSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fairview | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Erie | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Harding Sch Erie | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Grover Cleveland El Sch Erie | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Strong Vincent MS Erie | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| ST GEORGE GRADE SCHOOL Erie | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| ERIE DAY SCHOOL Erie | 3.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Perry El Sch Erie | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| ERIE FIRST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Erie | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,021
Median Home Value
$224,200
Median Rent
$1,176/mo
Population
24,190
College Educated
39.4%
Homeownership
69.7%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
44
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mcdowell HS has a median household income of $84,021. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,200, with a median rent of $1,176/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Avon Grove HS West Grove, PA | 5.9 |
| East Stroudsburg SHS South East Stroudsburg, PA | 5.9 |
| Armstrong JSHS Kittanning, PA | 6.0 |
| Carlisle Area HS Carlisle, PA | 5.8 |
| Owen J Roberts HS Pottstown, PA | 5.8 |
| Pleasant Valley HS Brodheadsville, PA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mcdowell HS
What grades does Mcdowell HS serve?
Mcdowell HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mcdowell HS?
Mcdowell HS has an enrollment of approximately 2,161 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell HS is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mcdowell HS rank in PA?
Mcdowell HS is ranked #1743 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Mcdowell HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Mcdowell HS has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Mcdowell HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcdowell HS has 72.7% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mcdowell HS a charter school?
No, Mcdowell HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mcdowell HS a Title I school?
No, Mcdowell HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcdowell HS?
48.2% of students at Mcdowell HS 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,161
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 140
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (814) 835-5403
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Millcreek Township SD- District Enrollment
- 6,393
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,522
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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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