Union Public School District

Union Public School District in Mississippi serves three schools—Union Elementary School (PK–4), Union Middle School (5–8), and Union High School (9–12)—in a high-poverty area where nearly all students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Despite this challenge, the district ranks in the top 14% of Mississippi districts and earns a 4-star rating overall.

The clear standout is Union High School, ranked 24th in the state with a 96.9% graduation rate and proficiency scores far above state averages in Algebra I, Biology, and English II. It also has the district’s lowest student–teacher ratio (9.2:1), giving students a highly personalized environment. Union Middle School is steady—holding 4 stars for three straight years—with notably low chronic absenteeism (13.4% vs. 23.9% statewide) and strong ELA scores across all grades. The biggest concern is Union Elementary School, which dropped from 5 stars to 3 stars in two years. Its 4th grade math and reading proficiency fell to 44%, well below state averages, even though 3rd grade scores remain excellent.

For parents, the key takeaway is that high poverty does not prevent high achievement here. The district outperforms state averages in most subjects, especially at the secondary level. However, the elementary decline—particularly the 26.7-point drop in 4th grade math—signals a possible curriculum or cohort issue that needs attention. Chronic absenteeism is uneven: middle schoolers attend well, while high schoolers miss more school (24.7%), though it hasn’t hurt test scores yet. Also watch 8th grade science, which swung from 20 points above state to below state in one year. Overall, Union offers strong secondary schools with a personalized feel, but families with younger children should monitor the elementary’s recent slide and ask what interventions are planned for 4th grade.