McDowell High School

08/10/2026

Good afternoon 9th grade Families,
MHS Freshmen Orientation is Thursday, August 20th from 2:00 - 3:30 for 9th grade and 3:30 -6:00 pm all grade levels! Ninth grade students and any new students to MHS must complete McDowell High School Chromebook Orientation and pay the $55.00 digital user fee on the website homepage. Both links are located at the top of the homepage.
https://www.mcdowell.k12.nc.us/mhs
We will not be accepting checks or cash for fees. Please check with Ms. Bates about fee prices if you are an upperclassmen, as fees vary based on grade level.
All 9th grade students and new students MUST COMPLETE the Chromebook orientation and pay the Digital User Fees before Wednesday, August 19th, if they wish to receive their Chromebooks at the Orientation.
Please reach out to Ms. Bates ([email protected]) for a Fee Waiver Form if you are in need of a fee reduction, waiver or payment plan. See less

08/10/2026

11th and 12th Grade Students,

We will begin selling student parking passes on the following dates:

Seniors (12th Grade): Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Juniors (11th Grade): Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Make-Up Day for Juniors and Seniors: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Please note: Parking passes will not be sold to 10th-grade students this year.
Parking passes will be sold in the MHS cafeteria.

Vehicle Registration Form
Students must bring a fully completed Student Vehicle Registration Form before they will be issued a parking pass.

Check your school email for forms and payment information. Parents MUST SIGN the required forms.

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to purchase a parking pass, students must:

Be on track to graduate
Be in good standing with the McDowell County Schools

Cost & Payment
The cost of a parking pass is $40.00. The fee is not prorated at any point during the school year.

A QR code is located on the Student Vehicle Registration Form and should be used to pay the $40.00 parking fee.

All parking pass payments must be made electronically. Cash payments will not be accepted.

Parking Space Selection
Parking passes and spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students will be able to select their parking space from the spaces available at the time they receive their parking pass.

Questions
Ms. Hudson and Ms. Robinson will oversee student parking passes this year. Please contact them with any questions regarding parking passes, eligibility, or the purchasing process.

08/05/2026

Good Evening families,
MHS Freshman Orientation is Thursday, August 20th from 2:00 - 3:30 for 9th grade and 3:30 -6:00 pm all grade levels! Ninth grade students and any new students to MHS must complete McDowell High School Chromebook Orientation and pay the $55.00 digital user fee on the website homepage. Both links are located at the top of the homepage.
https://www.mcdowell.k12.nc.us/mhs

We will not be accepting checks or cash for fees. Please check with Ms. Bates about fee prices if you are an upperclassmen, as fees vary based on grade level.

All 9th grade students and new students MUST COMPLETE the Chromebook orientation and pay the Digital User Fees before Wednesday, August 19th, if they wish to receive their Chromebooks at the Orientation.
Please reach out to Ms. Bates ([email protected]) for a Fee Waiver Form if you are in need of a fee reduction, waiver or payment plan.

08/03/2026

After a week in Scotland and Ireland, the Education First Club is home safe and sound. This group did a fantastic job of representing McDowell High School. If anyone is interested in the spring break trip to Greece or summer trip to London, Paris and Switzerland, here are the links!
https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/3050015UT https://www.eftours.com/2963692BW

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

Good Evening families,
MHS Freshman Orientation is Thursday, August 20th from 2:00 - 3:30 for 9th grade and 3:30 -6:00 pm all grade levels! Ninth grade students and any new students to MHS must complete McDowell High School Chromebook Orientation and pay the $55.00 digital user fee on the website homepage. Both links are located at the top of the homepage.
https://www.mcdowell.k12.nc.us/mhs

We will not be accepting checks or cash for fees. Please check with Ms. Bates about fee prices if you are an upperclassmen, as fees vary based on grade level.

All 9th grade students and new students MUST COMPLETE the Chromebook orientation and pay the Digital User Fees before Wednesday, August 19th, if they wish to receive their Chromebooks at the Orientation.
Please reach out to Ms. Bates ([email protected]) for a Fee Waiver Form if you are in need of a fee reduction, waiver or payment plan.

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

2026-2027 is Operation Backpack's 28th year providing student school supply assistance.

We truly appreciate your help in sharing the Operation Backpack information to our community. Please forward / share / post / announce this information and the attached flyers.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity to Operation Backpack. "The smallest gift given with love and compassion is priceless!"

Supplies and monetary donations are appreciated and needed! Donations are accepted year-round. Monetary donations may be written to: The Endowment Fund, for Operation Backpack. Donations may be mailed or brought to McDowell County Schools, 334 South Main Street, Marion, NC 28752.

Summer Distribution to Families is scheduled for July 20-August 3, 2026; Monday–Thursday; 8am - 4pm; Picture ID required for proof of McDowell residence.

Our Distribution / Inventory is located at East McDowell Middle School, 676 State Street, Marion, NC 28752. Please enter the back parking area via South McDowell Avenue. Operation Backpack is located in the rooms to the right of the Auditorium.

Eastfield Global Magnet School supplies will be available at the school during Meet the Teacher on July 8th; 4-5:30pm. If attending EGMS, please request supplies at EGMS.

School starts back on July 9th for EGMS; August 6th for MEC and MAI; August 24th for all other school locations.

The goal of Operation Backpack is to provide all K-12 underprivileged children in McDowell County Public Schools with a new backpack and school supplies.

Although the majority of the supplies are usually distributed during the few weeks prior to school starting, we will supply students year-round as needed.

During the school year, students can let their Teacher or Principal know when they need supplies. We will provide assistance as long as supplies are available.

We are very grateful for your support! Every donation makes a big difference! Because of you, we are able to continue to provide students with school supplies and help them to have a successful school year.

06/18/2026

Attention Rising Seniors (Class of 2027):
Your senior portrait session is an important first step in celebrating your final year of high school. Which is why we’re excited to partner with CADY for senior portraits. For more than 25 years, CADY has served schools with a distinctive approach to senior photography, combining state-of-the-art studios, premier customer service, and the artistry to capture each senior’s unique story.

This is a busy year, so we recommend booking your session this summer. CADY offers session options to fit every family’s needs.
Date: 7/7
Start time: 9:30 AM
End time: 6 PM
Location: Aux Gym

These portraits are perfect way to capture your achievement and can be used for graduation announcements, yearbook ads, social posts, and more.
Remember to book early! We can’t stress this enough. CADY’s calendar fills up fast!

There will be 2 sessions provided during the school year if you aren't able to schedule for this summer date.

Visit cady.com/schedule to book your senior session today.