McDowell County Schools

McDowell County Schools INSPIRING SUCCESS: Future-focused, Student-centered, Mission-driven

The McDowell County School System is located in the foothills of beautiful Western North Carolina, about 30 miles east of Asheville. McDowell County Schools consist of 13 schools (one high school, one early college, one alternative education center, two middle/junior high schools, eight elementary schools) and nine pre-school sites. The school system has approximately 6,500 students, nearly 1,000 employees, and around a $55 million budget.

😎 The Spirit Week Students Never Saw Coming! 🤫🎉What better way to head into their scheduled balanced, year-round calenda...
09/25/2026

😎 The Spirit Week Students Never Saw Coming! 🤫🎉

What better way to head into their scheduled balanced, year-round calendar break than with a little fun—and a BIG surprise?

The staff at Eastfield Global Magnet School turned the tables on their students with an “Underground Spirit Week!” The catch? The students had absolutely no idea it was happening! 😂

Staff members secretly planned each day and then did their best to act like everything was completely normal. From Anything But a Cup 🥤 to Socks & Sandals 🧦🩴 and Vacay Mode 🏖️😎, Eastfield’s staff went all in—and left students wondering what in the world was going on!

There were plenty of laughs along the way, and that’s part of what makes moments like these so special. A strong school community is built through learning, but it’s also built through relationships, shared experiences, and finding reasons to have a little fun together. 💙

🌴 Enjoy your break, Eastfield—you’ve earned some REAL Vacay Mode!

Community Event: Looking for a great way to support literacy and our McDowell County community? The Mountain Glory 5K Ch...
09/24/2026

Community Event: Looking for a great way to support literacy and our McDowell County community? The Mountain Glory 5K Challenge will take place Saturday, October 10 at 8:00 AM in downtown Marion. McDowell County Public Library McDowell County Parks and Recreation

Proceeds benefit reading camps and literacy programs for children in McDowell County. After the race, participants can stick around and enjoy the Mountain Glory Festival! ⛰️🍂

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM
📍 25 Academy Street, Marion

See the flyer for registration information and additional details.

**Event is not sponsored by McDowell County Schools.

🌟 Beginning Teacher of the Week: Elizabeth Peterson 🌟We are excited to celebrate Elizabeth Peterson, Band Teacher at Wes...
09/23/2026

🌟 Beginning Teacher of the Week: Elizabeth Peterson 🌟
We are excited to celebrate Elizabeth Peterson, Band Teacher at West McDowell Middle School, as our Beginning Teacher of the Week!

Ms. Peterson is creating more than music in her classroom—she is building confidence, perseverance, and a sense of belonging in her students. She celebrates their growth, encourages them to challenge themselves, and creates a positive environment where students feel supported as they develop their skills and discover their love of music. Learning an instrument takes courage, patience, and lots of practice, and Ms. Peterson is there to encourage her students through every note along the way. 🎶

Thank you, Ms. Peterson, for helping our students find their confidence, their talents, and maybe even their lifelong love of music. We are so glad you are part of McDowell County Schools! 💙🎵

🌟 Teacher Spotlight: Jake Marsh 🌟We are proud to spotlight Jake Marsh, seventh-grade Social Studies teacher at West McDo...
09/22/2026

🌟 Teacher Spotlight: Jake Marsh 🌟
We are proud to spotlight Jake Marsh, seventh-grade Social Studies teacher at West McDowell Middle School!

Mr. Marsh has a gift for making history more than just names, dates, and events. He creates engaging learning experiences that encourage students to ask questions, think critically, and understand how the past connects to the world they live in today.
Through his enthusiasm for Social Studies and his commitment to his students, Mr. Marsh helps them see that history isn’t simply something we study—it helps us understand where we’ve been, who we are, and where we’re going.

Thank you, Mr. Marsh, for inspiring students to be curious, thoughtful learners and for making a difference every day! 💙

🌟 Beginning Teacher of the Week: Mr. Tyler Dula 🌟We are excited to celebrate Tyler Dula, Social Studies teacher at McDow...
09/21/2026

🌟 Beginning Teacher of the Week: Mr. Tyler Dula 🌟

We are excited to celebrate Tyler Dula, Social Studies teacher at McDowell High School, as our Beginning Teacher of the Week!
Mr. Dula makes it a priority to build meaningful relationships with his students and to make sure they know they are seen, supported, and cared for. He consistently engages with students, encourages them, and provides the positive reinforcement they need to stay focused, work hard, and be successful.

His impact reaches beyond his own classroom, too. Mr. Dula is a true team player who is always willing to step in, lend a hand, and support his department and colleagues whenever he sees a need.
Thank you, Mr. Dula, for showing our students what it means to have someone in their corner and for being the kind of colleague others can count on. We are so glad you are part of the Titan family and McDowell County Schools! ❤️💙⭐

From our EC Department:🌟 Celebrating Excellence in Exceptional Children! 🌟We are incredibly excited to celebrate Mrs. De...
09/21/2026

From our EC Department:
🌟 Celebrating Excellence in Exceptional Children! 🌟

We are incredibly excited to celebrate Mrs. Debbie Meaney, who has been recognized as the McDowell County Schools EC Educator of Excellence!

Mrs. Meaney gives 110% each and every day to ensure her students have the support, instruction, encouragement, and opportunities they need to be successful. Her dedication to students is evident not only in how much she cares, but also in her commitment to continually growing as an educator.

This past summer, Mrs. Meaney successfully completed Reading Research to Classroom Practice (RRtCP) and has already begun putting that learning into action at the middle school level. She is intentionally implementing evidence-based literacy practices to strengthen instruction and better meet the individual needs of her student

That is what an Educator of Excellence looks like—continuing to learn, putting research into practice, believing in students, and working every day to help them grow.

Mrs. Meaney, we see your hard work, we appreciate your dedication, and we are so proud to have you representing McDowell County Schools and the Office of Exceptional Children!

Please help us congratulate Mrs. Debbie Meaney, MCS EC Educator of Excellence!

🪨🎨 Creativity Set in Stone at Old Fort Elementary! 🦅❤️🖤Old Fort Elementary students are putting their creativity on disp...
09/18/2026

🪨🎨 Creativity Set in Stone at Old Fort Elementary! 🦅❤️🖤

Old Fort Elementary students are putting their creativity on display in a way that will become a lasting part of their school!

In celebration of Dot Day, students were encouraged to explore their creativity and “make their mark” by painting their very own rocks. Thanks to a generous rock donation from Get Real Stone, students transformed ordinary stones into colorful, one-of-a-kind works of art! 🎨✨

But these creations won’t just stay in the classroom. The painted rocks will become part of a dry riverbed at the front of Old Fort Elementary, giving students the opportunity to see something they created become a permanent and meaningful part of their campus. 🪨🌟

Projects like this bring together creativity, student ownership, school pride, and community support—and we love seeing our students leave their mark in such a special way!

A big thank you to Get Real Stone for investing in our students and helping bring this creative vision to life. ❤️

🚀 And another special chapter in MCS: Sharing Our Out of This World Story!

🔴🟡🟢 Making Our Mark at West Marion! 🔵🟣✨There are countless ways for students to make their mark, and West Marion Element...
09/17/2026

🔴🟡🟢 Making Our Mark at West Marion! 🔵🟣✨

There are countless ways for students to make their mark, and West Marion Elementary School spent the week discovering just how much their ideas, creativity, and unique talents matter! 🐾💛

In celebration of Dot Day, students explored the message that everyone has the power to make a difference. Throughout the week, they put that message into action with art projects, STEM challenges, graphing activities, creative design, problem-solving, and more! 🎨📊💡

Along the way, students were encouraged to take chances, ask questions, think creatively, and work together. Whether they were designing something new, tackling a challenge, or expressing themselves through art, students had opportunities to discover their own strengths and celebrate the talents of those around them. 🌟

And that’s what making your mark is all about—having the courage to try, the curiosity to explore, and the confidence to share what makes you unique.

🐾 Keep creating. Keep exploring. Keep making your mark, Panthers!

🚀 Another colorful chapter in MCS: Sharing Our Out of This World Story!

Congratulations to Mrs. Sophie Voris, an Agriculture Education teacher at McDowell High School, who was recently selecte...
09/16/2026

Congratulations to Mrs. Sophie Voris, an Agriculture Education teacher at McDowell High School, who was recently selected as a finalist for the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award. This recognition highlights Mrs. Voris’ exceptional contributions to McDowell County CTE and her impact on the students and community here in McDowell County.

Each month, we take the opportunity to recognize the outstanding individuals who go above and beyond in their roles to m...
09/16/2026

Each month, we take the opportunity to recognize the outstanding individuals who go above and beyond in their roles to make a difference in our school community. Our Certified and Classified Employees of the Month exemplify dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence.
These honorees consistently demonstrate our core values, showing leadership, teamwork, and a genuine passion for supporting students, staff, and the overall mission of our district. Their hard work not only helps our schools run smoothly, but also help to create a positive and inspiring environment for everyone around them.
Today, we’re proud to celebrate and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Nakia Carson and Mr. Preston Branch for being selected as the Certified Employee of the Month and Classified Employee of the Month for September. Congratulations on this well deserved honor.

Address

334 S Main Street
Marion, NC
28752

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18286524535

Website

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