McDowell Technical Community College is a public community college in Marion, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System.
Serving 113 students in grades 9-13, Mcdowell Academy For Innovation ranks in the top 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥50% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-69% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-13
- Enrollment: 113 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 31%
- Graduation Rate: 80-89% (Btm 50% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≥50% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥80% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation's student population of 113 students has grown by 56% over five school years.
The teacher population of 8 teachers has declined by 42% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-13
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
113 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
8 teachers
Year Founded
1967
School Rankings
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation ranks within the top 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Mcdowell Academy For Innovation is 0.47, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#900 out of 2617 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥50%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-69%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥80%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
23%
21%
Black
5%
25%
White
69%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-89%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mcdowell Academy For Innovation's ranking?
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation is ranked #900 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥50% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 60-69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Mcdowell Academy For Innovation?
The graduation rate of Mcdowell Academy For Innovation is 80-89%, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Mcdowell Academy For Innovation?
113 students attend Mcdowell Academy For Innovation.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
69% of Mcdowell Academy For Innovation students are White, 23% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Mcdowell Academy For Innovation?
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Mcdowell Academy For Innovation offer ?
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation offers enrollment in grades 9-13 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Mcdowell Academy For Innovation part of?
Mcdowell Academy For Innovation is part of Mcdowell County Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Mcdowell Academy For Innovation. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
