Excellent
#210 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
Union Elementary
Elementary School · Cleveland County Schools
1440 Union Church Road, Shelby, NC 28150
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#3 of 17
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#187 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Union Elementary
Union Elementary is a public elementary school in Shelby, NC, part of the Cleveland County Schools. The school serves approximately 424 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.1th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 44% in reading/language arts, 9 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $53,027, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Union Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Union Elementary — Students at Union Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Union Elementary Compares
See how Union Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 68.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 47.1% (2025).
Location
1440 Union Church Road, Shelby, NC 28150
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 10.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ellenboro Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Ellenboro), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Springmore Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burns Middle Lawndale | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 5.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 7.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Crest High Shelby | 8.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Casar Elementary Casar | 8.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 8.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Fallston Elementary Fallston | 7.2 mi | 7.1 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 7.5 mi | 4.8 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 9.0 mi | 6.0 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 9.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 8.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 9.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 9.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 10.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro | 9.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 10.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 10.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 11.7 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,027
Median Home Value
$195,600
Median Rent
$793/mo
Population
26,447
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Union Elementary has a median household income of $53,027. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,600, with a median rent of $793/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.5 |
| Cash Elementary Kernersville, NC | 8.5 |
| Conn Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.5 |
| E M Rollins Elementary Henderson, NC | 8.5 |
| Grantham Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 8.5 |
| Jackson Park Elementary Kannapolis, NC | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Union Elementary
What grades does Union Elementary serve?
Union Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Union Elementary?
Union Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Union Elementary rank in NC?
Union Elementary is ranked #210 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Union Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Elementary has 58.3% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Union Elementary a charter school?
No, Union Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Union Elementary a Title I school?
No, Union Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Elementary?
99.3% of students at Union Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 424
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cleveland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,458
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,540
- District Rank
- #5 of 28
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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