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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.2%
Math vs. State Avg+11.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,582

Union Elementary — Students at Union Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 72.4%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
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: 4.6/10.

How Union Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in NC
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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