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Excellent

#323 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 12% in state

Union Elementary

Elementary School · Lincoln County Schools

4875 Reepsville Rd, Vale, NC 28168

Enrollment

323

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#323 of 2,648

In Vale

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Union Elementary

8.2/10

Elementary School in Vale · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Lincoln High

7.3/10

2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

West Lincoln Middle

6.4/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Union Elementary

Union Elementary is a public elementary school in Vale, NC, part of Lincoln County Schools. Union Elementary serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #323 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Union Elementary show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Union Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+11.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,722
Chronic Absenteeism18.3%

Union Elementary — Students at Union Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
70.7%
ELA
61.2%
2025
Math
75.1%
ELA
55.9%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Union Elementary Compares

See how Union Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4875 Reepsville Rd, Vale, NC 28168

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Hickory), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cherryville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Cherryville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Battleground Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), with a comparable rating. 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 7.3
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 2.6 mi 6.4
Childers Elementary Lincolnton 3.8 mi 4.9
Banoak Elementary Vale 5.2 mi 6.5
North Brook Elementary Vale 5.1 mi 7.1
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton 6.7 mi 6.6
Fred T Foard High Newton 6.9 mi 5.7
Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton 5.8 mi 4.8
Blackburn Elementary Newton 7.1 mi 6.4
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton 6.4 mi 7.2
Lincolnton High Lincolnton 6.6 mi 6.4
Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton 7.0 mi 3.9
Cherryville High Cherryville 8.8 mi 7.5
S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton 7.9 mi 5.3
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 9.4 mi 5.1
GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton 7.9 mi 7.0
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville 9.6 mi 7.7
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville 10.1 mi 5.6
Mountain View Elementary Hickory 10.1 mi 8.3
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake, NC 8.2
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC 8.2
DUKE SCHOOL Durham, NC 8.2
Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion, NC 8.2
Grantham Elementary Goldsboro, NC 8.2
Hertford Grammar Hertford, NC 8.2

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 ranks #323 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Union Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union Elementary has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#2 of 21

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