Union Elementary

Union Elementary is a K–5 school in Shallotte, North Carolina, serving 654 students as part of Brunswick County Schools.

Union is a standout school in its area, especially given that nearly all of its students come from low-income families. In the latest state rankings, Union earned 4 stars and placed #239 out of 1,492 elementary schools (84th percentile). It beats both the district and state averages in every tested grade and subject, and its biggest strengths are upper-elementary math and science. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency was 83.6%, compared with about 63% statewide, and 5th-grade science reached 87.1%. Among nearby schools, it clearly leads the traditional public elementary schools in Brunswick County Schools: Supply Elementary and Bolivia Elementary rank in the bottom third of the state, and Waccamaw is at the 66th percentile. Classical Charter Schools of Southport is the closest comparable at the 83rd percentile, but Union serves a much higher percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Union also stands out for its attendance culture. Chronic absenteeism is only 14.5%—about 10 points lower than the district and state averages, and far better than many nearby schools serving similar populations. These strong results don’t come from higher spending or smaller classes; Union spends about the same as neighboring schools and has a fairly typical student-teacher ratio. While the school has slipped from its former top-20, 5-star ratings and still has room to improve in 3rd-grade reading and for some student subgroups, it remains a remarkably effective school in a high-poverty region.