Public School Review - Established 2003

Foothills Community School vs. West Mcdowell Middle School

Should you attend Foothills Community School or West Mcdowell Middle School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Foothills Community School
176 Lukin Street
Marion, NC 28752
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
West Mcdowell Middle School
346 West Mcdowell Junior High
Marion, NC 28752
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings

Foothills Community School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Most improved public schools
Most improved public schools (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 20%)
n/a
Overview
Serving 196 students in grades 6-8, Foothills Community School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 65-69% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 65-69% (which is higher 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 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Serving 581 students in grades 6-8, West Mcdowell Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 45% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is equal to the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Grades Offered
6-8
6-8
Total Students
196 students
581 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Foothills Community School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at West Mcdowell Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
58% | 42%
53% | 47%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Foothills Community School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at West Mcdowell Middle School.
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
40 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Foothills Community School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at West Mcdowell Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Foothills Community School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and the state of North Carolina, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at West Mcdowell Middle School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and the state of North Carolina, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#420 out of 2617 schools in NC
(Top 20%)
#1554 out of 2617 schools in NC
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Foothills Community School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of West Mcdowell Middle School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
65-69%
(Top 30% in NC)
45%
(Bottom 50% in NC)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Foothills Community School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at West Mcdowell Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
65-69%
(Top 20% in NC)
45%
(Bottom 50% in NC)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Foothills Community School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at West Mcdowell Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
85-89%
(Top 10% in NC)
73%
(Top 30% in NC)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Foothills Community School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at West Mcdowell Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Foothills Community School with the average graduation rate observed in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2018-19 school year.
n/a

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Foothills Community School by grade.
This chart displays the students of West Mcdowell Middle School by grade.
Grade 6 Students
68
179
Grade 7 Students
77
181
Grade 8 Students
51
221

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at West Mcdowell Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2011-12 school year.
% Asian
n/a
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Foothills Community School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2020-21 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at West Mcdowell Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
8%
17%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Foothills Community School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at West Mcdowell Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
3%
2%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Foothills Community School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at West Mcdowell Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
87%
75%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Foothills Community School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at West Mcdowell Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Foothills Community School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at West Mcdowell Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and in North Carolina, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.24
0.41
This chart showcases the diversity score of Foothills Community School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of West Mcdowell Middle School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
98%
99%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Foothills Community School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at West Mcdowell Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
2%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Foothills Community School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at West Mcdowell Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Mcdowell County Schools School District and North Carolina, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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