For the 2024 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 5,824 students in Mcdowell County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 317 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Mcdowell County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Mcdowell County, NC are Mcdowell Early College, Mcdowell For Innovation and Mcdowell High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mcdowell County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Mcdowell County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Mcdowell County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mcdowell Early College
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Grades: 9-13
| 209 students
Rank: #22.
Mcdowell For Innovation
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Grades: 9-13
| 95 students
Rank: #33.
Mcdowell High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
600 Mcdowell High School Dr
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7920
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7920
Grades: 9-12
| 1,363 students
Rank: #44.
Foothills Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
176 Lukin Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-1040
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-1040
Grades: 6-8
| 182 students
Rank: #55.
Marion Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
209 Robert Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-2141
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-2141
Grades: PK-5
| 360 students
Rank: #66.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1545 Old Hwy 221 South
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-4220
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-4220
Grades: PK-5
| 443 students
Rank: #77.
North Cove Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 American Thread Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 756-4342
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 756-4342
Grades: PK-5
| 220 students
Rank: #88.
Old Fort Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
128 Mauney Avenue
Old Fort, NC 28762
(828) 668-7646
Old Fort, NC 28762
(828) 668-7646
Grades: PK-5
| 312 students
Rank: #99.
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 John Roach Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 724-4422
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 724-4422
Grades: PK-5
| 296 students
Rank: #1010.
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
170 Eastfield School Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Grades: PK-5
| 263 students
Rank: #1111.
West Mcdowell Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
346 West Mcdowell Junior High
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Grades: 6-8
| 648 students
Rank: #1212.
Nebo Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
254 Nebo School Road
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-4737
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-4737
Grades: PK-5
| 352 students
Rank: #1313.
East Mcdowell Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
676 State Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7711
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7711
Grades: 6-8
| 531 students
Rank: #1414.
West Marion Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
820 Marler Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-3353
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-3353
Grades: PK-5
| 375 students
Rank: n/an/a
176 Lukin Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-4535
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-4535
Grades: K-12
| 175 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Mcdowell County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Mcdowell County, NC include Mcdowell Early College, Mcdowell For Innovation and Mcdowell High School.
How many public schools are located in Mcdowell County, NC?
15 public schools are located in Mcdowell County, NC.
What percentage of students in Mcdowell County, NC go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Mcdowell County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mcdowell County, NC?
Mcdowell County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).
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