Mcdowell High School

3580 West 38th St
Erie, PA 16506
(School attendance zone shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%
Serving 2,205 students in grades 9-12, Mcdowell High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 71% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 2,205 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 18%
  • : 90% (Btm 50% in PA)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 71% (Top 20%)
  • : 70% (Top 30%)
  • : 64% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Mcdowell High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools

School Overview

Mcdowell High School's student population of 2,205 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 134 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
2,205 students
This chart displays total students of Mcdowell High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Mcdowell High School
Total Classroom Teachers
134 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Mcdowell High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Mcdowell High School by grade.

School Rankings

Mcdowell High School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Mcdowell High School is 0.32, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.58. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (PA)
#439 out of 2733 schools
(Top 20%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Mcdowell High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
71%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Mcdowell High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
70%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Mcdowell High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
64%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Mcdowell High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Mcdowell High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
4%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
4%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
4%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
82%
62%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of White public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Mcdowell High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Pennsylvania.
0.32
This chart displays the diversity score of Mcdowell High School and the public school average diversity score of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
90%
87%
This chart displays graduation rate of Mcdowell High School and public school graduation rate of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
38%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Mcdowell High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mcdowell High School's ranking?
Mcdowell High School is ranked #439 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Mcdowell High School often compared to?
Mcdowell High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Fairview High School, Fort Leboeuf Sr. High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
71% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 70% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Mcdowell High School?
The graduation rate of Mcdowell High School is 90%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Mcdowell High School?
2,205 students attend Mcdowell High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
82% of Mcdowell High School students are White, 6% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 4% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Mcdowell High School?
Mcdowell High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Mcdowell High School offer ?
Mcdowell High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Mcdowell High School part of?
Mcdowell High School is part of Millcreek Township School District.

School Reviews

4   10/9/2020
Though the school ignores cases of racism and bullying, nice educational program.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - oj
3   1/20/2020
Challenging classes and blah blah blah blah, but there are hardly any windows in this freaking school! Who the heck designed this thing!? It is not that hard to imagine that humans don't like to be stuck inside all day, day after day with no natural sunlight. Whoever built the MIHS building needs to rethink their career choice!
- Posted by Student/Alumni - uh...
5   8/7/2019
McDowell is an amazing school. I am currently a student attending this school and all the teachers and administrators are very kind and willing to help students learn the material even if it's during after school tutoring or their own lesson planning block.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - Frances Thorn

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 2,205 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 18%
  • : 90% (Btm 50%)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 71% (Top 20%)
  • : 70% (Top 30%)
  • : 64% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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