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Average

#1368 of 2,648 schools in NC

Western Union Elementary

Elementary School · Union County Public Schools

4111 Western Union Sch Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Enrollment

576

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,368 of 2,648

In Waxhaw

#9 of 11

public schools

In district

#36 of 52

Union County Public Schools

School environment

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Western Union Elementary

6.3/10

Elementary School in Waxhaw · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Waxhaw Elementary

5.9/10

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

South Providence

4.1/10

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

About Western Union Elementary

Western Union Elementary is a public elementary school in Waxhaw, NC, part of Union County Public Schools. Western Union Elementary serves approximately 576 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Western Union Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,368 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Western Union Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Western 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 Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg0 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,340
Chronic Absenteeism14.4%

Western Union Elementary — Students at Western Union Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (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
76%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
65%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
63.8%
ELA
52.4%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Western Union Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in NC
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

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

4111 Western Union Sch Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Union Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wesley Chapel Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Town Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Weddington Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Matthews), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waxhaw, see our Waxhaw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Waxhaw Elementary Waxhaw 2.5 mi 5.9
South Providence Waxhaw 2.8 mi 4.1
New Town Elementary Waxhaw 3.8 mi 8.8
Parkwood High Monroe 3.7 mi 7.0
Parkwood Middle Monroe 3.9 mi 5.1
Cuthbertson High Waxhaw 4.4 mi 7.6
Cuthbertson Middle Waxhaw 4.4 mi 7.2
Wesley Chapel Elementary Monroe 5.6 mi 9.1
Weddington High Matthews 5.6 mi 7.9
Weddington Elementary Matthews 5.6 mi 8.1
Kensington Elementary Waxhaw 5.0 mi 8.0
Weddington Middle Matthews 5.9 mi 7.6
ARBORBROOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Matthews 6.6 mi 7.6
THALES ACADEMY WAXHAW K-5 Waxhaw 6.2 mi 6.0
Prospect Elementary Monroe 6.3 mi 6.7
Rocky River Elementary Monroe 6.6 mi 7.5
Indian Land High Lancaster 6.4 mi 7.1
Marvin Ridge Middle Waxhaw 6.7 mi 7.9
Marvin Ridge High Waxhaw 6.8 mi 8.2
Walter Bickett Elementary Monroe 6.9 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28173 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$146,196

Median Home Value

$558,500

Median Rent

$1,700/mo

Population

63,503

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

89.4%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.7%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aberdeen Elementary Aberdeen, NC 6.3
Balfour Elementary Asheboro, NC 6.3
Barwell Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 6.3
Brevard Academy Pisgah Forest, NC 6.3
Carolina Forest Elementary Jacksonville, NC 6.3
Claxton Elementary Greensboro, NC 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Union Elementary

What grades does Western Union Elementary serve?

Western Union Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Western Union Elementary?

Western Union Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 576 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Union Elementary?

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

How does Western Union Elementary rank in NC?

Western Union Elementary ranks #1,368 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Western Union Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Union Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Western Union Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Western Union Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Western Union Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Western Union Elementary a Title I school?

No, Western Union Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

39.2% of students at Western 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
2 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
576
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

District

Union County Public Schools
District Enrollment
41,687
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,340
District Rank
#36 of 52

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