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Carson-Young HouseCarson-Young House · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Marion · McDowell County Schools

Marion’s public schools score below 53% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Marion, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.

#163of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
48%
▼ 2 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
51%
▲ 0 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
84%
▼ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.4K
▲ 3% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.0
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
1,603 students on the public path
In brief

Marion’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 317 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Marion’s, its schools beat 56%, higher than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 48% and math 51% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,412 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

New Manna Christian School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Marion’s grade

B− Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 47% of North Carolina school districts, #163 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (317)Better than 56%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,902 test results and a graduating class of 446 could put Marion anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Marion’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,721 in math, 3,082 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Marion, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC to B+
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA+

Marion’s public schools are run by McDowell County Schools, which also serves Old Fort. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

McDowell County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 15 schools · 5,613 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 15.0 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$13,412NC $13,045 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 49.9% · 3082 students tested
Math51%
State average 50.8% · 2721 students tested

Marion vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Marion’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MarionB−McDowell County Schools

Every school in Marion

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Marionby address
Marion Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
333 students15:1Rate it →
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
279 students13:1Rate it →
East McDowell Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
392 students11:1Rate it →
Foothills Community School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B+
200 students18:1Rate it →
McDowell Early College
High · Grades 9–12
A+
241 students20:1Rate it →
McDowell Academy for Innovation
High · Grades 9–12
A+
158 students23:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
New Manna Christian School
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
213 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (The Summit Academy).

Questions about Marion’s schools

Are Marion’s schools good?

On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Marion children attend score below 53% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #163 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Marion in?

McDowell County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,613 students in 15 schools (2024–25).

Where do Marion kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: McDowell Early College and McDowell Academy for Innovation.

What is Marion’s graduation rate?

84% of the class of 2023 in McDowell County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Marion spend per student?

$13,412 in McDowell County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Marion?

Yes: New Manna Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 213 students).

Parents talk

What Marion families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Marion → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.