West Marion Elementary School

820 Marler Road
Marion, NC 28752
(School attendance zone shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 377 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, West Marion Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 35-39% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 56% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 377 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 22%
  • : Bottom 50% in NC
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-54% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

West Marion Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

West Marion Elementary School's student population of 377 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 31 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
Total Students
377 students
This chart displays total students of West Marion Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of West Marion Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of West Marion Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of West Marion Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

West Marion Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Marion Elementary School is 0.37, 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.
This School
State Level (NC)
#1790 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of West Marion Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40-44%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
35-39%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
50-54%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of West Marion Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in West Marion Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.
Asian
1%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
14%
20%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
4%
25%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
78%
44%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina 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 West Marion Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
0.37
This chart displays the diversity score of West Marion Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
67%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in West Marion Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is West Marion Elementary School's ranking?
West Marion Elementary School is ranked #1790 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
How many students attend West Marion Elementary School?
377 students attend West Marion Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
78% of West Marion Elementary School students are White, 14% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West Marion Elementary School?
West Marion Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does West Marion Elementary School offer ?
West Marion Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5
What school district is West Marion Elementary School part of?
West Marion Elementary School is part of Mcdowell County Schools School District.

School Reviews

4   12/8/2017
West Marion Elementary is an excellent school. The teachers truly care about their students and have high expectations for ALL students not just the top students. My children excelled at West Marion because of teachers taking the initiative to do change instruction based on my son and daughters needs. Mr. Carson works diligently to ensure that ALL of the students needs are met.
- Posted by Parent - Marie
5   11/2/2017
I went to this school for most of all my schooling for elementary school. It has taught me so much, and the small student body causes you have to have one on one bond with the staff of the school. I still get approached by teachers that work/worked at the school that didn't even teach me! They provide free lunch, choice electives, and after-school clubs. I really hope this school will be acknowledged for the good it caused me to have in my education.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - gannon0504@mcsgmail.com
2   5/17/2016
In reference to the article on Yahoo.com (12/5/2012) about the school censoring a little girl's poem about her grandfather's experience in Vietnam and forcing her to remove "God" from the poem. I AM APPALLED that our educators have the nerve to bow to the complaint of ONE individual! As the product of 2 teachers (BOTH of my parents are retired teachers) it amazes me that the school would do this. What happened to her 1st Amendment Rights? Obviously the complaintant's 1st Amendment Rights weren't abused. Were this to happen to one of my children, I''d see civil rights violation charges brought against the district, superintendent, school board, and the complaintant at the very minimum. ALL parents should stand-up for this little girl's rights, lest we ALL lose ours!
- Posted by Parent - abn82

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 377 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 22%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-54% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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