Average
#1550 of 2,648 schools in NC
Union Elementary
Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools
4875 Reepsville Rd, Vale, NC 28168
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vale
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,090 of 1,474
In district
#9 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Union Elementary
Union Elementary serves 323 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Vale, North Carolina. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 and 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a more intimate learning environment where students can receive focused attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 80th percentile among North Carolina elementary schools at #538 out of 2,661 schools statewide.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 75% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 56% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Union Elementary draws families from a working-class community where the median household income is $62,077 and the median home value is $163,000. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%, with 15% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
This demographic profile reflects a community of hardworking families who value education and are invested in their children's academic success. Located on Reepsville Road in Lincoln County's rural landscape, Union Elementary offers students the benefits of small-town education while maintaining strong academic standards in a close-knit community 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Union Elementary — Students at Union Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.6/10.
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 67% (2019) to 75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 55.2% (2025).
Location
4875 Reepsville Rd, Vale, NC 28168
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Battleground Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Banoak Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Brook Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vale, see our Vale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Childers Elementary Lincolnton | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale | 5.2 mi | 8.3 |
| North Brook Elementary Vale | 5.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Jacobs Fork Middle Newton | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 6.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton | 5.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Blackburn Elementary Newton | 7.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton | 6.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Lincolnton High Lincolnton | 6.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton | 7.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Cherryville High Cherryville | 8.8 mi | 4.8 |
| S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton | 7.9 mi | 7.1 |
| W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville | 9.4 mi | 7.4 |
| GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton | 7.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Cherryville Elementary Cherryville | 9.6 mi | 5.4 |
| John Chavis Middle School Cherryville | 10.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 10.1 mi | 6.4 |
| COMBINE ACADEMY Lincolnton | 8.5 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28168 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,396
Median Home Value
$176,100
Median Rent
$821/mo
Population
10,436
College Educated
15.1%
Homeownership
83.5%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
46.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Union Elementary has a median household income of $63,396. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $821/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia, NC | 6.1 |
| Roseboro Elementary Roseboro, NC | 6.1 |
| Shady Brook Elementary Kannapolis, NC | 6.1 |
| West Pine Elementary West End, NC | 6.1 |
| Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 6.0 |
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 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Elementary is 14.7:1. 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 #1550 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 72.4% math proficiency and 56.3% 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?
99.1% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (797/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (704) 276-1493
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #9 of 21
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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