Union County Public Schools

The Union County Public Schools district in North Carolina consists of 52 schools, including 30 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 13 high schools, serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. The district is ranked 42nd out of 242 districts in the state and is rated 4 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger, indicating a mix of high-performing and struggling schools.

Some of the standout schools in the district include Marvin Ridge High, ranked 38th out of 641 high schools in North Carolina, and Weddington Middle, ranked 14th out of 773 middle schools in the state. These schools have consistently high test scores, with 86-97% of students proficient or better in various end-of-course exams. Other top-performing elementary schools in the district are Antioch Elementary, Wesley Chapel Elementary, Rea View Elementary, and Sandy Ridge Elementary, all ranked among the top 15 elementary schools in the state.

However, the district also has several schools struggling to meet proficiency standards, particularly in high-poverty areas. For example, Benton Heights Elementary and Walter Bickett Elementary have proficiency rates below 50% in many subject areas. The data suggests a strong correlation between poverty and academic performance, with schools serving higher-poverty populations tending to have lower proficiency rates. Identifying and replicating the practices of the top-performing schools could help improve outcomes for all students in the Union County Public Schools district.