{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McDowell Early College","outOfStateSupporters":42.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":9228784,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing The Crucible books for my class. Having these copies available allows my students to fully engage with the play and experience its powerful themes firsthand.Reading The Crucible together in class has opened up important discussions about history, morality, and human behavior. Your generous support helps bring literature to life and inspires my students to think deeply and critically.\r\nMy students created journals based from each Act and completed an essay based on characterization of characters from the Crucible. They enjoyed reading the play in class and having discussion about the events that lead to the Salem Witch Trials. The students were engaged and looked forward to our daily reading. This class is filled with male students but they enjoyed it as much as the girls. Thank you again for meeting our needs.","fullyFundedDate":1752242196867,"projectUrl":"project/ignite-the-flame-of-knowledge-donate-f/9228784/","projectTitle":"\"Ignite the Flame of Knowledge: Donate for Crucible Books!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":9165273,"letterContent":"I am reaching out on behalf of my students to thank you for your support in providing snacks and cleaning supplies for our high school classroom. Your generous donation have been a direct and meaningful impact on their daily experience for my students.\r\nHaving nutritious snacks available helped my students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the school day. Meanwhile the cleaning products helped maintain a clean and safe classroom environment which is essential for the health and well-being of everyone, especially during these times.\r\nYour contribution helped me to create a more welcoming, comfortable, and productive learning space for all my students. Every donation, big or small, made a difference and was deeply appreciated by our school community.\r\nThank you for supporting education and my student success","fullyFundedDate":1749763760114,"projectUrl":"project/help-wnc-students-with-snacks-while-they/9165273/","projectTitle":"Help WNC Students with Snacks While They Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":9024800,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to receive the grant for the \"Empowering Voices: Journaling for Self-Expression After WNC Hurricane Helene\" program. Your support has made a significant impact on our community and the lives of many individuals affected by the hurricane.\r\nThis initiative has provided a vital platform for self-expression and healing through journaling. It has allowed my students to reflect on their experiences, process their emotions, and find solace in the written word. \r\nThanks to your generosity, we are able to create a safe space where individuals can explore their thoughts and feelings, ultimately promoting resilience and recovery in the wake of adversity.","fullyFundedDate":1738771880048,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-voices-journaling-for-self-/9024800/","projectTitle":"\"Empowering Voices: Journaling for Self-Expression After WNC Hurricane Helene","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":9018646,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well! I want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to our classroom. Your support has provided us with invaluable resources that are making a significant difference in our students' learning experiences.\r\nSince we received the new materials, my students have been fully engaged in a project centered around writing. When they first saw the new resources, their eyes lit up with excitement! They immediately gathered around to explore the materials, and it was wonderful to witness their enthusiasm as they began brainstorming ideas.\r\nThis kind of enthusiasm is exactly what we aim to foster in our classroom, and your contribution has played a crucial role in making it possible.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support and for believing in the potential of our students. Your contribution has opened doors to new learning opportunities, and we can't wait to share more updates with you as our project progresses!\r\nThank you once again for your generosity.\r\nWarmest regards,","fullyFundedDate":1735707440345,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-learning-essential-supplies/9018646/","projectTitle":"Empowering Learning: Essential Supplies Needed for Impacted WNC Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":9014839,"letterContent":"I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to my class. Your support has made a significant impact on our students' culinary education and personal growth.\r\n\r\nWith your contributions, we have been able to provide hands-on cooking experiences that not only teach essential culinary skills but also foster creativity, teamwork, and healthy eating habits among our students. The resources you provided have greatly enriched our program, allowing students to explore diverse cuisines and learn the art of cooking in a supportive environment.\r\n\r\nWe are excited to see how this program continues to evolve and inspire our students. Your commitment to enhancing education and supporting our community is truly appreciated. Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in our mission.\r\n\r\nWarmest regards,","fullyFundedDate":1735089134295,"projectUrl":"project/cooking-items-for-hurricane-affected-hig/9014839/","projectTitle":"Cooking Items for Hurricane-Affected High School Students in WNC","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":8989210,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of my students, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation toward the \"Art of Cooking in WNC: Mastering Dishes for Student Life\" program. Your support has made a significant impact on our students' culinary education and personal growth.\r\n\r\nWith your contributions, we have been able to provide hands-on cooking experiences that not only teach essential culinary skills but also foster creativity, teamwork, and healthy eating habits among our students. The resources you provided have greatly enriched our program, allowing students to explore diverse cuisines and learn the art of cooking in a supportive environment. Students have learned how to cook basics like breakfast, and lunch meals. \r\n\r\nWe are excited to see how this program continues to evolve and inspire our students. Your commitment to enhancing education and supporting our community is truly appreciated. Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in our mission.","fullyFundedDate":1734703727669,"projectUrl":"project/art-of-cooking-in-wnc-mastering-dishes/8989210/","projectTitle":"Art of Cooking in WNC: Mastering Dishes for Student Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":8614465,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project. Thanks to your contribution, we have been able to access new resources that have significantly enhanced our learning environment.\r\nRecently, my students and I embarked on a project centered around these new supplies. We utilized the new resources to create an engaging lesson plan that not only captured their interest but also fostered collaboration and creativity. \r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their reactions were priceless! Their eyes lit up with excitement as they explored the new tools and resources. It was heartwarming to witness their enthusiasm and eagerness to dive into the work ahead.\r\n I am confident that these resources will not only aid them in completing their projects but also instill a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.\r\nThank you once again for your invaluable support. Your contribution is making a lasting impact in our classroom, and I look forward to sharing more about our journey with you as we progress.\r\nWarm regards,","fullyFundedDate":1733255581894,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-safe-and-clean-classroom-envi/8614465/","projectTitle":"Creating a Safe and Clean Classroom Environment for My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"},{"teacherId":133093,"projectId":6420911,"letterContent":"We hope this message finds you well! We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support. Your contributions are helping us foster a love for reading among our students, and we truly appreciate it.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors share our passion for books, yet they may not fully grasp the incredible impact these texts have in our classrooms. The new books we've introduced are enriching our curriculum in numerous ways. They not only enhance critical thinking and comprehension skills but also encourage creativity and empathy through diverse narratives.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is a vibrant and engaging experience. Students are immersed in discussions, collaborative projects, and individual reflections that bring the stories to life. The joy of reading is palpable, as students explore new genres and themes, broadening their perspectives.\r\n\r\nWe have noticed that certain students are particularly thriving with the new texts. For instance, [Student's Name] has shown an extraordinary enthusiasm for [specific book or genre], often leading discussions and sharing insights that inspire their peers. Their excitement is contagious, prompting others to delve into the stories with equal fervor.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your support. Together, we are nurturing a generation of passionate readers and learners. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress and sharing more success stories from our classroom.\r\n\r\nWarmest regards,","fullyFundedDate":1655818487875,"projectUrl":"project/to-thine-own-self-be-true-hamlet-plays/6420911/","projectTitle":"\"To Thine Own Self Be True\"-Hamlet Plays Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cochran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp133093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535020172441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cjcochran"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94880","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":241,"numTeachers":13,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":74,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":57.1,"schoolId":94880,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McDowell Early College on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McDowell Early College","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/mcdowell-county-school-district-580/mcdowell-early-college/94880"}
Join the 70 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
McDowell Early College is
a rural public school
in Marion, North Carolina that is part of McDowell County School District 580.
It serves 241 students
in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.5:1.
Its teachers have had 32 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
21%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
McDowell Early College Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
McDowell Early College
$10,606
raised using DonorsChoose
32
projects
funded
9
teachers
funded
70
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
11
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
McDowell Early College has received support from
40 individuals from North Carolina and
30 individuals out-of-state.