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Western Union Elementary

Q: Is Western Union Elementary a good school?

Western Union Elementary ranks 677 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

677^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 55% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Western Union Elementary is a K-5 public school in Waxhaw, NC, serving 539 students as part of Union County Public Schools, a district ranked 43rd of 246 in North Carolina with a 4-star rating. The school holds a 3-star rating and ranks 677th of 1,492 elementary schools statewide—the 55th percentile in 2025-26, unchanged from the prior year. It sits amid enormous contrasts: within a few miles are some of the top elementary schools in the state—Wesley Chapel Elementary (7th), Sandy Ridge Elementary (11th), and Weddington Elementary (20th)—as well as schools like Walter Bickett Elementary, near the 3rd percentile. The school occupies the middle of this wide local spectrum.

Academically, the school's math and reading proficiency hover near state averages in grades 3 and 4 but fall noticeably behind by 5th grade. For instance, 3rd-grade math was 68.1% in 2025-26, close to the state's 66.4%, while 5th-grade math dropped to 58.3% versus the state's 62.9%, and 5th-grade science hit 62.5% compared with the district's 79.3%. This persistent pattern suggests a challenge in upper-elementary instruction. Gifted learners rank in the 80th percentile statewide, yet students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds rank in the 32nd percentile—a gap worth closing.

About 40.6% of students at Western Union Elementary receive free or reduced-price lunch—far below the poverty levels at Rocky River Elementary (99.4%) but well above local high performers like Wesley Chapel Elementary (14.4%) and New Town Elementary (10.9%). Yet the school's 55th-percentile ranking is nearly identical to the 56th percentile at Rocky River Elementary, which serves 2.5 times the poverty rate, and Waxhaw Elementary outperforms Western Union Elementary with a higher poverty rate. Attendance is a bright spot: chronic absenteeism is 12.1%, roughly half the state's 24.2% and far better than Walter Bickett Elementary's 35.3%. The school looks solid but plateauing, surrounded by proof that higher achievement and stronger support for struggling students are possible nearby.

539

Students ?

14.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

40.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4111 Western Union Sch Rd
Waxhaw, NC 28173-9211

(704) 296-6355

District: Union County Public Schools

Students who attend Western Union Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Parkwood Middle
High:	Parkwood High

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.1%

Hispanic:

18.4%

African American:

12.1%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Western Union Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 81st percentile in 2016 → 55th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the North Carolina median (55th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 26 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school61%

District avg74%

North Carolina avg61%

677^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 45%▼ down 27 pts since 2016

From top 19% (2016) to top 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

43^rd of 246Union County Public Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.4	677 of 1492	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.8	673 of 1490	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.3	500 of 1505	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.2	419 of 1502	72.1%	★★★★☆
2022	46.1	809 of 1514	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	64.3	493 of 1489	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.6	334 of 1473	77.3%	★★★★☆
2018	72.0	366 of 1434	74.5%	★★★★☆
2017	74.9	325 of 1429	77.3%	★★★★☆
2016	78.1	268 of 1425	81.2%	★★★★☆
2015	62.4	530 of 1440	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	38.6	872 of 1390	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	55.1	583 of 1403	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	76.9	264 of 1388	81.0%	★★★★☆
2011	63.7	554 of 1381	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	66.6	480 of 1363	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	80.6	190 of 1354	86.0%	★★★★☆
2008	52.7	672 of 1324	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	52.0	705 of 1293	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2006	54.9	624 of 1276	51.1%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.9	408 of 903	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.6	461 of 918	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	62.8	260 of 924	71.9%	★★★★☆
2022	32.3	666 of 927	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	58.7	328 of 927	64.6%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2018	39.0	537 of 897	40.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	51.2	704 of 1447	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.0	765 of 1451	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	62.1	514 of 1455	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	68.8	405 of 1459	72.2%	★★★★☆
2022	42.7	835 of 1458	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	54.1	621 of 1440	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.5	253 of 1424	82.2%	★★★★☆
2018	71.0	374 of 1405	73.4%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	68.5	150 of 743	79.8%	★★★★☆
2025	45.7	547 of 710	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	51.1	459 of 669	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	58.7	309 of 582	46.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	31.4	738 of 981	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	50.3	472 of 961	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.4	575 of 951	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	61.2	286 of 915	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	46.2	456 of 893	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	66.7	192 of 843	77.2%	★★★★☆
2019	78.4	105 of 865	87.9%	★★★★☆
2018	65.6	230 of 851	73.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	36.8	975 of 1434	32.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.4	1091 of 1437	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	59.5	522 of 1450	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.1	426 of 1437	70.4%	★★★★☆
2022	25.2	1139 of 1366	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	55.0	494 of 1329	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.4	386 of 1361	71.6%	★★★★☆
2018	63.1	430 of 1332	67.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	54.2	652 of 1451	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.5	556 of 1450	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.3	484 of 1464	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.9	428 of 1461	70.7%	★★★★☆
2022	48.5	747 of 1464	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	70.3	382 of 1444	73.5%	★★★★☆
2019	67.8	413 of 1430	71.1%	★★★★☆
2018	71.5	364 of 1413	74.2%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	13.7	128 of 133	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.4	425 of 815	47.9%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	43.1	704 of 1146	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.7	738 of 1172	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.9	577 of 1166	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.1	624 of 1183	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.0	852 of 1194	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	51.9	545 of 1172	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.4	443 of 1183	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.9	470 of 1178	60.1%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Gifted and Talented (2026)80th percentile+25 vs school

Male (2026)55th percentile~ school

African American (2026)55th percentile~ school

Female (2026)51st percentile-3 vs school

Special Education (2026)48th percentile-7 vs school

Disabled (2018)40th percentile-34 vs school

White (2026)39th percentile-16 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)32nd percentile-23 vs school

Hispanic (2026)25th percentile-30 vs school

Multi-racial (2022)4th percentile-43 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics66%~ state avg

Science62%-5 vs state

Reading55%~ state avg

4.7

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, May 12, 2017

This school is like no other. They are a family. When you walk in the front door, you can feel the warmth from the office staff, administration, teachers, etc. I feel my children had a great educational start thanks to this school. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, May 15, 2016

Although this is one of the oldest schools in Union county, the staff makes up for it through their caring ways of each student. There is smaller class sizes for more individualized attention for each student. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The teachers and staff are so caring at this school. We feel like this is a great fit for our family. Close Quote

Schools Near Western Union Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Western Union Elementary	Public	K-5	4111 Western Union Sch Rd	Waxhaw	28173	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 296-6355	539	37	14.5	40.6%	340 (63.1%)	65 (12.1%)	99 (18.4%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (5.2%)	53.4	677^th of 1492 public elementary schools	54.6%		53.8	673^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	54.8%	4	68.1	72.3	58.3	54.9	61.4	50.0	62.5	$9,869	$511	$9,358
Waxhaw Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1101 Old Providence Rd	Waxhaw	28173	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 290-1590	615	41	15.0	48.8%	394 (64.1%)	67 (10.9%)	92 (15.0%)	15 (2.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (7.3%)	67.1	467^th of 1492 public elementary schools	68.7%		67.3	439^th of 1490 public elementary schools	70.5%	28	64.4	69.3	73.8	54.4	61.8	63.1	79.6	$9,582	$657	$8,925
New Town Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1100 Waxhaw-Indian Tr. Rd.	Waxhaw	28173	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 290-1525	691	47	14.7	10.9%	493 (71.3%)	43 (6.2%)	71 (10.3%)	61 (8.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.0%)	93.7	64^th of 1492 public elementary schools	95.7%		96.1	39^th of 1490 public elementary schools	97.4%	25	91.3	87.3	93.3	79.1	88.2	77.6	83.6	$8,693	$723	$7,971
Kensington Elementary	Public	K-5	8701 Kensington Drive	Waxhaw	28173	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 290-1500	901	57	15.8	12.0%	595 (66.0%)	61 (6.8%)	93 (10.3%)	99 (11.0%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	48 (5.3%)	94	59^th of 1492 public elementary schools	96.0%		94.2	58^th of 1490 public elementary schools	96.1%	1	86.6	91.1	89.2	71.6	86.4	81.7	90.8	$7,723	$344	$7,379
Weddington Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3927 Twelve Mile Creek Road	Matthews	28104	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 296-6317	652	45	14.6	4.8%	431 (66.1%)	29 (4.4%)	51 (7.8%)	104 (16.0%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (5.2%)	96.7	20^th of 1492 public elementary schools	98.7%		95.5	48^th of 1490 public elementary schools	96.8%	28	91.3	93.1	95.2	81.7	88.2	88.1	93.7	$9,084	$768	$8,316
Wesley Chapel Elementary	Public	K-5	110 Potter Rd S	Monroe	28110	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 296-3081	729	48	15.3	14.4%	423 (58.0%)	51 (7.0%)	70 (9.6%)	142 (19.5%)	10 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	32 (4.4%)	97.5	7^th of 1492 public elementary schools	99.5%		98.6	3^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	99.8%	4	95.4	94.5	94.7	87.0	93.7	91.0	93.2	$9,378	$521	$8,857
Prospect Elementary	Public	K-5	3005 Ruben Rd	Monroe	28112	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 296-0636	373	28	13.3	98.7%	277 (74.3%)	19 (5.1%)	55 (14.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.4%)	44.2	842^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	43.6%		53.8	674^th of 1490 public elementary schools	54.8%	168	71.4	52.6	55.6	50.8	47.4	58.7	58.7	$9,529	$540	$8,989
Rocky River Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	500 N. Rocky River Road	Monroe	28110	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 290-1523	536	40	13.4	99.4%	183 (34.1%)	117 (21.8%)	195 (36.4%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.7%)	54.6	660^th of 1492 public elementary schools	55.8%		67.1	442^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	70.3%	218	52.4	55.6	81.1	45.7	57.8	61.1	80.0	$13,540	$2,549	$10,991
Walter Bickett Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	830 South ML King Blvd	Monroe	28112	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(704) 238-8704	444	41	10.9	99.3%	30 (6.8%)	135 (30.4%)	257 (57.9%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.3%)	8.4	1441^st of 1492 public elementary schools	3.4%		7.9	1443^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	3.2%	2	39.4	39.5	31.3	36.4	26.7	21.5	48.8	$14,234	$2,482	$11,752
Sandy Ridge Elementary	Public	K-5	10101 Waxhaw Manor Drive	Waxhaw	28173	Union County	Union County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 290-1505	528	34	15.5	7.2%	283 (53.6%)	33 (6.3%)	33 (6.3%)	150 (28.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (5.1%)	97.2	11^th of 1492 public elementary schools	99.3%		98.2	5^th of 1490 public elementary schools	99.7%	6	90.6	94.7	97.2	84.7	87.2	90.6	95.3	$9,036	$563	$8,473

Frequently Asked Questions about Western Union Elementary

Is Western Union Elementary a good school?

Western Union Elementary ranks 677^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Western Union Elementary attend?

Students who attend Western Union Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Parkwood Middle
High : Parkwood High

What is the racial makeup of Western Union Elementary?

Students at Western Union Elementary are 63% White, 18% Hispanic, 12% African American, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Western Union Elementary in?

Union County Public Schools

How many students attend Western Union Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 539 students attended Western Union Elementary.

Rate Western Union Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.