George D. McDowell Exchange School was dedicated in 1971 and was named after former Pickaway County Superintendent, George D. McDowell. Originally, the building housed all of the Logan Elm District's kindergarten classes, seventh and eighth grade classes and various high school classes. Thus, the term "exchange school" since the building was used for a variety of grade levels. Today, the building is primarily used as a middle school, although some high school classes still meet here. The name is now McDowell Middle School.
Our building currently serves approximately 280 students in grades seven and eight. We have a staff of 23 teachers, four para-professionals, one school counselor, a school nurse, one secretary and a school resource officer, along with a counselor and case manager from Hopewell Mental Health. We have two teachers employed through Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center. Mr. Tim Williams is our district superintendent. Mr. Bret King is our building principal and Mr. Terry Holbert is our Athletic Director. We are a rural district located approximately 30 miles south of Columbus in the southeast corner of Pickaway County. Due to the location of our district, we service students from both Pickaway County and the Hocking Hills area of Hocking County.
The students at McDowell are required to take the four core subjects of Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. In addition to these subjects, they are scheduled into Art and Computer Technology classes at the seventh grade level. Pre-Engineering (a career-based class) and Physical Education are required at the eighth grade level. The following electives are offered at McDowell. Instrumental Music and Vocal Music are available in both 7th and 8th grade. Enrichment Art, Technology and Web Design, and CBIP are available in eighth grade.
Our school also offers a variety of extra-curricular activities for the middle school students. In the fall, the students may choose from football, volleyball, cross country, cheerleading or color guard. Club golf is also available in the fall. In the winter, the students may choose from basketball, wrestling, or cheerleading. Track and field, softball, and baseball are available to the students in the spring.
If you would like further information about our building or district, you may contact us at:
McDowell Middle School
9579 Tarlton Rd
Circleville, Ohio 43113
740-474-7538