For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 5,617 students in Mcdowell County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 356 private students). 94% 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, Foothills Community School and Marion Elementary 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 51% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Mcdowell County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Mcdowell County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mcdowell Early College
(Math: ≥80% | 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
| 198 students
Rank: #22.
Foothills Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
176 Lukin Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-1040
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-1040
Grades: 6-8
| 196 students
Rank: #33.
Marion Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
209 Robert Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-2141
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-2141
Grades: PK-5
| 356 students
Rank: #44.
Mcdowell High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 Mcdowell High School Dr
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7920
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7920
Grades: 9-12
| 1,384 students
Rank: #55.
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Grades: 9-13
| 113 students
Rank: #66.
Old Fort Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
128 Mauney Avenue
Old Fort, NC 28762
(828) 668-7646
Old Fort, NC 28762
(828) 668-7646
Grades: PK-5
| 319 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
170 Eastfield School Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Grades: PK-5
| 274 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Nebo Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
254 Nebo School Road
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-4737
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-4737
Grades: PK-5
| 334 students
Rank: #99.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | 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
| 429 students
Rank: #1010.
North Cove Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
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
| 221 students
Rank: #1111.
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | 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
| 309 students
Rank: #1212.
East Mcdowell Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
676 State Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7711
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7711
Grades: 6-8
| 411 students
Rank: #1313.
West Mcdowell Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
346 West Mcdowell Junior High
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Grades: 6-8
| 581 students
Rank: #1414.
West Marion Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
820 Marler Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-3353
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-3353
Grades: PK-5
| 393 students
Rank: #1515.
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
346 West Mcdowell Junior High
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Grades: 6-12
| 99 students
Rank: n/an/a
The Summit Academy
Alternative School
75 Crawford St
Marion, NC 28752
(919) 807-3300
Marion, NC 28752
(919) 807-3300
Grades: n/a
| n/a 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, Foothills Community School and Marion Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Mcdowell County?
16 public schools are located in Mcdowell County.
What percentage of students in Mcdowell County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Mcdowell County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mcdowell County?
Mcdowell County public schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Mcdowell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Mcdowell County include: West Mcdowell Middle School vs. East Mcdowell Middle School, East Mcdowell Middle School vs. West Mcdowell Middle School, Mcdowell Early College vs. Mcdowell High School
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