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McDowell High School

Grades 09–12 · Marion, NC · NCES 370294001179

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600 McDowell High School Dr · Marion, NC 28752

At a glance

Reported students

1,379

NCES CCD 2024–25

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

83rd 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.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students
1,360
Teachers (FTE)
98
Student–teacher ratio
13.9:1

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 83rd 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 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 AP student enrollment, 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.

Questions worth asking McDowell High School

  1. 1How do the reported 15.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 87.95 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
  2. 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
  3. 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 4 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
  4. 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Bring the full school visit checklist →

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

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE)
4
Nurses (FTE)
1
Psychologists (FTE)
0
Social workers (FTE)
1

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

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. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

AP student enrollment

Students enrolled

12 distinct courses reported

Gifted and talented

Offered

Computer science

Offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

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

View all 15 district schools →