McDowell County Schools & Education
McDowell County, West Virginia
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
28/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
82.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,139
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,773
School Score
28/100
Higher = better
State avg 62/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#55
of 55 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: McDowell County
School Verdict
McDowell County faces educational challenges with a school score of 28/100 and a graduation rate of 82.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,139 per pupil, McDowell County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for McDowell County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 54% below the West Virginia average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 10.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in McDowell County, West Virginia
Ten Schools Serving the McDowell Community
McDowell County operates 10 public schools, which include six elementary schools and two high schools. A single district manages the education of 2,537 students across this rural landscape.
Facing Challenges in Academic Outcomes
The county reports an 82.0% graduation rate, which falls below the state average of 92.8% and the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $7,139, and the composite school score currently stands at 49.6.
A Consolidated Rural School District
McDowell County Schools serves as the sole educational provider for the area's 2,537 students. The district utilizes a traditional public school framework, as there are no charter schools currently operating in the county.
Small, Intimate Rural Learning Environments
Education here is almost exclusively rural, with nine out of ten schools located in rural settings. While Mount View High School enrolls 560 students, the average school size across the county remains small at 282 students.
Community-Focused Living Near Rural Schools
For those looking for a close-knit educational environment, McDowell County offers intimate school sizes. Research available homes near the county's central high schools to stay connected to the community's educational hubs.
School Overview
Total Schools
10
in McDowell County
Total Enrollment
2,537
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in McDowell County
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
10 Public Schools in McDowell County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOUNT VIEW HIGH SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | 6–12 | High | 560 |
| RIVER VIEW HIGH SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 408 |
| SOUTHSIDE K-8 | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–8 | Primary | 314 |
| BRADSHAW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 272 |
| SANDY RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 239 |
| IAEGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 229 |
| WELCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 220 |
| KIMBALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 159 |
| FALL RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 136 |
| MCDOWELL CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER | MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS | — | Vocational | — |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,139
State avg $7,773
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in McDowell County rate?
What is the graduation rate in McDowell County?
How much does McDowell County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in McDowell County, West Virginia — FAQ
What does the school system look like in McDowell County, West Virginia?
McDowell County operates 10 public schools, which include six elementary schools and two high schools. A single district manages the education of 2,537 students across this rural landscape.
How do schools in McDowell County perform academically?
The county reports an 82.0% graduation rate, which falls below the state average of 92.8% and the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $7,139, and the composite school score currently stands at 49.6.
What are the major school districts in McDowell County, West Virginia?
McDowell County Schools serves as the sole educational provider for the area's 2,537 students. The district utilizes a traditional public school framework, as there are no charter schools currently operating in the county.
What is the school experience like in McDowell County?
Education here is almost exclusively rural, with nine out of ten schools located in rural settings. While Mount View High School enrolls 560 students, the average school size across the county remains small at 282 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in McDowell County, West Virginia?
For those looking for a close-knit educational environment, McDowell County offers intimate school sizes. Research available homes near the county's central high schools to stay connected to the community's educational hubs.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.