NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt 2023 | North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt 2023 | North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Among the 14 schools in McDowell County, East McDowell Middle School ranked second in enrollment numbers with 468 students, while Glenwood Elementary School welcomed 397 students and ranked third in the 2022-23 school year.
West McDowell Middle School is part of McDowell County Schools district, which roughly covers institutions within McDowell County and has a main office in Marion.
In the previous school year, West McDowell Middle School also had the highest number of students among McDowell County schools.
North Carolina's public schools are facing a significant funding gap, with a per-student expenditure of $10,519 — well below the national average of $14,295.
This financial strain is further compounded by a significant challenge in staffing with a staggering 58.4% surge in vacant teaching positions in the 2021-22 school year, leaving over 5,000 classrooms without qualified instructors.
| School name | City | Total School Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| West McDowell Middle School | Marion | 609 |
| East McDowell Middle School | Marion | 468 |
| Glenwood Elementary School | Marion | 397 |
| West Marion Elementary School | Marion | 347 |
| Marion Elementary School | Marion | 335 |
| Nebo Elementary School | Nebo | 322 |
| Old Fort Elementary School | Old Fort | 288 |
| Pleasant Gardens Elementary School | Marion | 276 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School | Marion | 250 |
| McDowell Early College | Marion | 225 |
| North Cove Elementary School | Marion | 199 |
| Foothills Community School | Marion | 189 |
| McDowell Virtual Academy | Marion | 131 |
| McDowell Academy for Innovation | Marion | 111 |
Alerts Sign-up