McDowell High School
🇺🇸 Official data · 2025Marion, North Carolina 28752 · McDowell County Schools
#257 of 528 high schools in North Carolina
#10254 of 16,910 nationally
About McDowell High School
McDowell High School is a public high located in Marion, in the McDowell County Schools school district of North Carolina, United States. It caters for Grades 9–12. In 2025 it enrolled 1,379 students. Traditional public schools run by a school district; free to attend.
Its Success Index (US) is 42.8 out of 100, placing it in the lower 50% of high schools in United States and 257th of 528 ranked high schools in North Carolina. Its strongest component is math proficiency (67th percentile), and its weakest is community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (7th percentile).
Other published figures: enrollment 1,379.
There are 12 schools in Marion; McDowell High School ranks 2nd of 12 scored schools there.
Success Index (US) breakdown
Each component is a percentile against high schools across United States.
- Math proficiency (30%)52%
- Reading proficiency (30%)53%
- Community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (25%)98.8%
- Students per teacher (15%)15.9
The Success Index (US) summarises published data about a school community. It is not a measure of teaching quality. Read the methodology.
Published measures
All figures published for McDowell High School by the official sources.
- Enrollment
- 1,379
- Students enrolled in the latest NCES directory year.
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 98.8%
- Share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
- Students per teacher
- 15.9
- Enrollment divided by FTE teachers; not class size.
- Reading proficiency
- 53%
- Share of tested students proficient or above (all students, all grades).
- Math proficiency
- 52%
- Share of tested students proficient or above (all students, all grades).
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Schools near McDowell High School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (US).
West McDowell Middle School
Marion · Public middle · Grades 6–8
550 students · 542 m away
Marion Elementary School
Marion · Public elementary · Grades PK–5
333 students · 2.8 km away
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Marion · Public elementary · Grades PK–5
289 students · 3.1 km away
East McDowell Middle School
Marion · Public middle · Grades 6–8
392 students · 3.8 km away
Foothills Community School
Marion · Public middle · Grades 6–8
200 students · 4.2 km away
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Marion · Public elementary · Grades PK–5
279 students · 4.7 km away
McDowell Early College
Marion · Public high · Grades 9–13
241 students · 8.1 km away
McDowell Academy for Innovation
Marion · Public high · Grades 9–13
158 students · 8.1 km away
West Marion Elementary School
Marion · Public elementary · Grades PK–5
390 students · 8.7 km away
Nebo Elementary School
Nebo · Public elementary · Grades PK–5
354 students · 9.9 km away
Similar schools
Public high schools in North Carolina with a comparable Enrollment.
Southern School of Energy and Sustainabi
Durham · Public high · Grades 9–12
1,384 students
Ashbrook High
Gastonia · Public high · Grades 9–12
1,386 students
Central Cabarrus High
Concord · Public high · Grades 9–12
1,369 students
Richmond Senior High
Rockingham · Public high · Grades 10–12
1,365 students
Robert B Glenn High School
Kernersville · Public high · Grades 9–12
1,396 students
James B Dudley High
Greensboro · Public high · Grades 9–12
1,403 students
Frequently asked questions
Is McDowell High School a good school?
McDowell High School has a Success Index (US) of 42.8 out of 100 (Lower 50% of high schools in United States) and ranks #257 of 528 in North Carolina. The index summarises published data about the school community and, where available, attainment; it does not measure teaching quality, so visit the school and ask about support at your child's level.
Where does McDowell High School rank in North Carolina?
McDowell High School ranks #257 of 528 high schools in North Carolina and #10254 of 16,910 nationally on the Success Index (US) (2025 data).
How many students attend McDowell High School?
McDowell High School had 1,379 students in 2025.
Is McDowell High School a elementary school or a high school?
McDowell High School is classified as a high covering Grades 9–12. It is a public school.
What other schools are near McDowell High School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of McDowell High School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (US) and distance, and can be compared side by side.