McDowell High School is a public high school located in the Western North Carolina town of Marion. The school has approximately 1,700–1,800 students. It is the only high school in McDowell County. The school was built in 1971, and has its own student-run newspaper, the Iliad, and literary magazine, The Muses.
Serving 1,379 students in grades 9-12, Mcdowell High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 70-74% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 47% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,379 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 27%
- Graduation Rate: 83% (Btm 50% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 47% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 49% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: McDowell High's attendance zone covers the entire school district of Marion, NC, encompassing approximately 445.4 square miles. Families within this area can typically expect a drive of 20-30 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 13.1 miles to the zone's edge and a maximum distance of 18.9 miles.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Mcdowell High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Math Proficiency
School Overview
Mcdowell High School's student population of 1,379 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 88 teachers has declined by 8% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,379 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
88 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1971
School Calendar
School Rankings
Mcdowell High School ranks within the top 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Mcdowell High School is 0.44, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#814 out of 2617 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)70-74%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
16%
22%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
Black
4%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
73%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
6%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
83%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)31.2%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
99%
72%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (22-23)
3%
3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Royal blue, Scarlet, Silver
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mcdowell High School's ranking?
Mcdowell High School is ranked #814 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Mcdowell High School often compared to?
Mcdowell High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Mcdowell Early College by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
70-74% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 47% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Mcdowell High School?
The graduation rate of Mcdowell High School is 83%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86.5%.
How many students attend Mcdowell High School?
1,379 students attend Mcdowell High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
73% of Mcdowell High School students are White, 16% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Mcdowell High School?
Mcdowell High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Mcdowell High School offer ?
Mcdowell High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Mcdowell High School part of?
Mcdowell High School is part of Mcdowell County Schools.
School Reviews
Review Mcdowell High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
