- Enrollment
- 1,379
- Students per teacher
- 14.7:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Marion, NC
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
Federal NCES profile for Mcdowell Virtual Academy, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 41/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 370294003609
👥 S:T ratio 20
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 72
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Mcdowell Virtual Academy earns 41/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 90% of North Carolina schools.
- #3 of 7
- schools in Marion · Resource Index
- 41
- Resource Index · Typical
- 20:1
- large classes for North Carolina
- 26.4%
- free-lunch eligible
Mcdowell Virtual Academy has class sizes larger than 90% of North Carolina schools. Computed live against every North Carolina school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Mcdowell Virtual Academy ranks #3 of 7 schools in Marion, NC.
School address
District: Mcdowell County Schools · North Carolina
NCES ID 370294003609 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-41 students YoY
Mcdowell Virtual Academy shrank from 140 students in 2022-23 to 99 in 2023-24 (-29.3%).
Teacher FTE lost 7.0 → 2.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-41 students YoY 370294003609 · Marion, NC Other · SMALL · TRAD
140 enr · 20:1 · 26.4% lunch · RII 41
Nearest enrollment peer: Mcdowell High School (1,379 students)
Mcdowell Virtual Academy shrank from 140 students in 2022-23 to 99 in 2023-24 (-29.3%). Teacher FTE lost 7.0 → 2.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · North Carolina schools → · Find another →
Mcdowell Virtual Academy in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Mcdowell High
Mcdowell High School
1,379 students
- West Mcdowell 550
West Mcdowell Middle School
550 students
- Glenwood Eleme 435
Glenwood Elementary School
435 students
- East Mcdowell 392
East Mcdowell Middle School
392 students
- West Marion El 390
West Marion Elementary School
390 students
- This school 140
Mcdowell Virtual Academy
140 students
What this shows Mcdowell Virtual Academy reports 140 students on the CCD universe file.
How Mcdowell Virtual Academy compares
Mcdowell Virtual Academy is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs North Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs North Carolina | North Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20:1 | ▲ 27% | 15.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 26.4% | ▼ 60% | 66.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 140 | top 93% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20:1
Leaner classes than 16% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
140
Bigger than 14% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
26.4%
free-lunch eligible
- 60% below the North Carolina average of 66.0%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
20:1
students per teacher
- 27% above state mean
Top 90% in North Carolina - lower ratio than 10% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
62.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,112
per pupil, district-wide
- above North Carolina avg of $12,294
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 140 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Mcdowell County Schools reports $13,112 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Mcdowell Virtual Academy Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcdowell High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| West Mcdowell Middle School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Glenwood Elementary School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| East Mcdowell Middle School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| West Marion Elementary School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Mcdowell Virtual Academy's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 550
- Students per teacher
- 13.8:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 435
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 392
- Students per teacher
- 11.9:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 390
- Students per teacher
- 13:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
Similar other schools in Marion
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Glenwood Elementary School
Standard public school
435 students 15.5:1 students per teacher
West Marion Elementary School
Standard public school
390 students 13:1 students per teacher
Marion Elementary School
Standard public school
333 students 13.3:1 students per teacher
Pleasant Gardens Elementary School
Standard public school
289 students 13.1:1 students per teacher
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Standard public school
279 students 13.3:1 students per teacher
North Cove Elementary School
Standard public school
230 students 13.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~140 students)
Frequently asked questions about Mcdowell Virtual Academy
How many students attend Mcdowell Virtual Academy?
Mcdowell Virtual Academy has 140 students enrolled. It is a public school in Marion, NC. CCD year-over-year: 140 (2022-23) → 99 (2023-24), down 41.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Virtual Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mcdowell Virtual Academy is 20:1, which is 27% higher than the North Carolina average of 15.8:1 and 27% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Mcdowell Virtual Academy?
26.4% of students at Mcdowell Virtual Academy are eligible for free lunch, compared to the North Carolina average of 66.0%.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Mcdowell Virtual Academy?
Mcdowell Virtual Academy has a Resource Investment Index of 41/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Mcdowell Virtual Academy rank among schools in Marion?
By Resource Investment Index, Mcdowell Virtual Academy ranks #3 of 7 schools in Marion, NC. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Marion on the city page.
What other schools are in Mcdowell County Schools?
Besides Mcdowell Virtual Academy, Mcdowell County Schools also operates Mcdowell High School (1,379 students), West Mcdowell Middle School (550 students), and Glenwood Elementary School (435 students). See the Mcdowell County Schools district page for the complete list.