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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Math vs. State Avg+34 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,131

Mcdowell HS — Students at Mcdowell HS score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.7%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
78%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
49.5%
2024
Math
64%
ELA
69.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in PA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
140 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,326/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Erie). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Millcreek Township SD
District Enrollment
6,393
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,522
District Rank
#8 of 9

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 methodology

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