MCDOWELL EARLY COLLEGE

McDowell Early College is a Title I public high school that is part of the McDowell County Schools school district, located in Marion, NC with about 257 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 13th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 13 teachers, McDowell Early College has a student/teacher ratio of about 19:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

McDowell Early College, located in Marion, North Carolina, is a specialized educational institution designed to provide students with a unique academic path that blends high school curriculum with college-level coursework. Operating as an early college high school, it functions through a partnership between the McDowell County School System and local higher education institutions. This model is specifically structured to offer students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously completing significant college credit—often up to two years’ worth—at little to no cost to the students or their families.

The school emphasizes a small-classroom environment that fosters strong relationships between students and faculty, focusing on rigor, student support, and college readiness. By integrating into a collegiate atmosphere, McDowell Early College helps students accelerate their post-secondary goals, easing the transition into university life or the workforce. It serves as an ideal environment for students who are motivated to get a head start on their professional or academic futures in a supportive, focused, and goal-oriented setting.

For more information, contact McDowell Early College at (828) 659-0411 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.