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Average

#1465 of 2,648 schools in NC

Union High

High School · Sampson County Schools

1189 Kader Merritt Road, Rose Hill, NC 28458

Enrollment

484

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,465 of 2,648

In Rose Hill

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#11 of 18

Sampson County Schools

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Union High

6.1/10

High School in Rose Hill · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Union Elementary

5.4/10

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

Union Middle

5.3/10

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

About Union High

Union High is a public high school in Rose Hill, NC, part of Sampson County Schools. Union High serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Union High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,465 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Union High show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Union High sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Union High 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.

38% of students at Union High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-34.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness7.7Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate67%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,239
Chronic Absenteeism38%

Union High — Students at Union High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 39.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
47%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
21.8%
ELA
44.7%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Union High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in NC
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Sports
10
5 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.0%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics10sports offered
5 boys'·5 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

1189 Kader Merritt Road, Rose Hill, NC 28458

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sampson Early College High (rated 8.4/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clinton High (rated 5.6/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Clinton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, James Kenan High (rated 3.8/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Warsaw), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rose Hill, see our Rose Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Elementary Clinton 1.2 mi 5.4
Union Middle Clinton 4.2 mi 5.3
Union Intermediate Clinton 4.1 mi 5.0
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrells 6.1 mi 5.9
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clinton 11.7 mi 7.1
Clinton High Clinton 12.4 mi 5.6
Sampson Middle Clinton 12.6 mi 5.6
Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton 13.2 mi 3.6
Sunset Avenue Elementary Clinton 14.0 mi 6.6
SPIRIT OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clinton 14.1 mi 7.7
Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary Rose Hill 12.4 mi 3.2
Sampson Early College High Clinton 14.4 mi 8.4
Langdon C Kerr Elementary Clinton 14.9 mi 7.1
Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey 13.7 mi 3.4
Penderlea Elementary Willard 15.2 mi 5.3
Warsaw Elementary Warsaw 15.8 mi 5.1
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace 14.4 mi 6.5
ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace 14.4 mi
MINTZ CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roseboro 14.7 mi 6.2
James Kenan High Warsaw 16.4 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28458 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,128

Median Home Value

$114,600

Median Rent

$701/mo

Population

5,768

College Educated

15.3%

Homeownership

60.7%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.5%

Median Age

39

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Providence Grove High School Climax, NC 6.1
Penn-Griffin Schools High Point, NC 6.0
Walkertown High Walkertown, NC 6.0
Camden County High Camden, NC 6.2
Lakewood High Salemburg, NC 6.2
J F Kennedy High Winston-Salem, NC 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union High

What grades does Union High serve?

Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Union High?

Union High has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union High?

The student-teacher ratio at Union High is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union High rank in NC?

Union High ranks #1,465 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Union High's MySchoolScout rating?

Union High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union High has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Union High a charter school?

No, Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Union High a Title I school?

No, Union High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union High?

99.4% of students at Union High 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
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Sampson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.0%
4-Year Graduation
67.0%

District

Sampson County Schools
District Enrollment
8,086
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,239
District Rank
#11 of 18

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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