Best Schools in McDowell County, NC
McDowell County, NC has 30 public schools (8 high, 6 middle, 15 elementary) serving 12,569 students. On average they score 55% on state proficiency tests against a projected 54%, so schools in McDowell County underperform expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in McDowell County, NC
The top high schools in McDowell County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Mcdowell Academy For Innovation
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 13 • 113 Students
2. Mcdowell Early College
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 13 • 225 Students
3. Owen High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Buncombe County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 689 Students
4. R-s Central High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Rutherford County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 758 Students
5. Freedom High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Burke County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1414 Students
6. Mcdowell High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1416 Students
7. Mitchell High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mitchell County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 497 Students
8. Mcdowell Virtual Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 12 • 140 Students
Best Middle Schools in McDowell County, NC
The top middle schools in McDowell County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Foothills Community School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 188 Students
2. Table Rock Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Burke County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 502 Students
3. R-s Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Rutherford County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 574 Students
4. West Mcdowell Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 605 Students
5. Owen Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Buncombe County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 418 Students
6. East Mcdowell Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 468 Students
Best Elementary Schools in McDowell County, NC
The top elementary schools in McDowell County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Old Fort Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 316 Students
2. Glen Alpine Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Burke County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 279 Students
3. Pinnacle Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Rutherford County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 234 Students
4. Crossnore Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Avery County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 199 Students
5. Eastfield Global Magnet School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 266 Students
6. Black Mountain Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Buncombe County Schools • Public • Grades 4 - 5 • 147 Students
7. Marion Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 355 Students
8. Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 304 Students
9. Nebo Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 339 Students
10. West Marion Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Mcdowell County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 377 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in McDowell County, NC
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
McDowell County, NC has a total population of 44,578 with 20% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 86%, and 17% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in McDowell County, NC
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood McDowell County, NC.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
17.61 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
3.63 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
13.98 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in McDowell County, NC.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for McDowell County, NC.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit McDowell County, NC Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in McDowell County, NC
How many schools are in McDowell County, NC?
McDowell County, NC has 30 public schools: 8 high schools, 6 middle schools and 15 elementary schools, serving 12,569 students in total.
How do schools in McDowell County perform on state tests?
On average, 30 schools in McDowell County score 55% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 54%, so on average schools in McDowell County underperform expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in McDowell County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near McDowell County, NC
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 49%
- Projected: 50%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 57%
- Projected: 53%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 48%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 60%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 56%
- Projected: 50%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 50%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 61%
- Projected: 49%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 58%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Mcdowell County
3 places in Mcdowell County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (3)
School districts (1)
- McDowell County Schools (15 schools)