School overview
At a glance
Reported students
1,379
NCES CCD 2024–25, where reported
Teachers (FTE)
87.95
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.7:1
Calculated, not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
North Carolina high enrollment
83th percentile
Compared with 617 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
333
McDowell High School: 1,379 reported students.
State peer staffing position
27th percentile
15.7:1 reported; state peer median 18.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Profile interpretation
What the reported data says about McDowell High School
McDowell High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Marion. It is one of 15 current school records connected to McDowell County Schools. NCES reports 1,379 students for 2024–25.
Among 617 high schools in North Carolina with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 623 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 83th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.7:1, below the North Carolina median of 18.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The two largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (72.7%) and Hispanic or Latino (16%). English learners represent 4.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 17.5%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports access to Advanced Placement, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 12 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Turn data into a school visit
Questions worth asking McDowell High School
- 1How do the reported 15.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 87.95 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3How are the school's 4 counselor FTE allocated across grades and student needs?
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Student context
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 4.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 17.5%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 98.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
People available to students
Support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 4
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White72.7%
- Hispanic16%
- Black3.6%
- Asian0.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial6.5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25 where reported, otherwise CRDC 2021–22. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Learning opportunities
Programs reported by the school
Advanced Placement
Offered
12 courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Offered
Program availability is from CRDC 2021–22 and can change. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Continue exploring
Other schools in McDowell County Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
McDowell Early College
High · Grades 09–13
241 reported students
McDowell Academy for Innovation
High · Grades 09–13
158 reported students
The Summit Academy
High · Grades 06–12
23 reported students
West McDowell Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
550 reported students
Glenwood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
435 reported students
East McDowell Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
392 reported students