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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Mcdowell County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 1,287 students in Mcdowell County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Mcdowell County, NC are Foothills Community School, East Mcdowell Middle School and West Mcdowell Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mcdowell County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Mcdowell County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Mcdowell County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Foothills Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
176 Lukin Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-1040
Gr: 6-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
East Mcdowell Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
676 State Street
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-7711
Gr: 6-8 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
West Mcdowell Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
346 West Mcdowell Junior High
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3390
Gr: 6-8 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
The Summit Academy
Alternative School
75 Crawford St
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-1266
Gr: 6-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 13%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Mcdowell County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Mcdowell County, NC include Foothills Community School, East Mcdowell Middle School and West Mcdowell Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Mcdowell County?
4 public middle schools are located in Mcdowell County.
What is the racial composition of students in Mcdowell County?
Mcdowell County public middle schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Mcdowell County are often viewed compared to one another?

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