Mcdowell County Schools School District

334 South Main St
Marion, NC 28752-0130
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Mcdowell County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 2,635 students in Mcdowell County Schools School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public pre schools in North Carolina.
Public Preschools in Mcdowell County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
16 Schools
994 Schools
# Students
5,617 Students
464,055 Students
# Teachers
387 Teachers
33,275 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Mcdowell County Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has decreased from 85% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#168 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
51%
51%
48%
50%
63%
63%
80%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.41
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
15%
23%
% Black
3%
25%
% White
76%
41%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,591 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,818 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$65 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$66 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,591
$11,187
Spending / Student
$11,818
$11,612

Best Mcdowell County Schools School District Public Preschools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Marion Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
209 Robert Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-2141
Grades: PK-5
| 356 students
Rank: #22.
Old Fort Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
128 Mauney Avenue
Old Fort, NC 28762
(828) 668-7646
Grades: PK-5
| 319 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
170 Eastfield School Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Grades: PK-5
| 274 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Nebo Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
254 Nebo School Road
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-4737
Grades: PK-5
| 334 students
Rank: #55.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1545 Old Hwy 221 South
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-4220
Grades: PK-5
| 429 students
Rank: #66.
North Cove Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
401 American Thread Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 756-4342
Grades: PK-5
| 221 students
Rank: #77.
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 John Roach Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 724-4422
Grades: PK-5
| 309 students
Rank: #88.
West Marion Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
820 Marler Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 738-3353
Grades: PK-5
| 393 students

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 16 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 5,617 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 25%
  • : 80% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 51% (Top 50%)
  • : 48% (Btm 50%)
  • : 63% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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