McDowell HS

Set in Erie, Pennsylvania, McDowell HS is a large four-year high school, overseen by Millcreek Township SD. It teaches 2,133 students across grades 9 through 12. That puts it 189% above the typical public school in Pennsylvania, which averages around 738 students.

McDowell HS is one of 9 schools operated by Millcreek Township SD, a district that enrolls 6,363 students overall.

In terms of who attends, McDowell HS shows that 79% of the student body identifies as White. The remainder looks like 6% multiracial, 6% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 3% Black.

On the resource side, Staff filings list 148 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 14.4:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 12.8:1, putting McDowell HS higher than the state norm the norm. An estimated 49% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. Set against Erie County (around 74%), the school's rate is somewhat below typical.

Adjusting for the school's free-and-reduced-lunch share, McDowell HS sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 56.7%; this one delivers 65.1%.

Around the school, Erie County reports that median household income runs about $63,354, about 30% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. In all, Erie County runs 68 public schools (combined enrollment of about 35,738 students), of which McDowell HS is one.

The closest other public school is Grandview El Sch, roughly 0.8 miles away. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around McDowell HS. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts McDowell HS at 4th of 8; the average score across the group is 54.4%.

Geographically, the school is in a suburban area.

Five-year trend. McDowell HS's enrollment has shrank 3% since 2018, when it stood at 2,201 (now 2,133). White enrollment moved from 87% to 79% across the same window. Class-load math has narrowed: from 15.6:1 in 2018 to 14.4:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, members of the McDowell HS community share and discuss science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.