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Very Good

#668 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 37% in state

Union Heights Elementary

Elementary School · Smith County

663 Lebanon HWY, Carthage, TN 37030

Enrollment

242

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carthage

#3 of 5

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#464 of 1,002

In district

#4 of 9

Smith County

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Union Heights Elementary

Union Heights Elementary is a regular public school located in Carthage, Tennessee, within Smith County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 242 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child.

Union Heights Elementary employs 17 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs. Academically, the school's MySchoolScout Rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Tennessee schools. In terms of proficiency rates across various subjects, Union Heights Elementary has 47% of its students proficient or above in science, with lower percentages in ELA/Reading (30%), Math (31%), and Social Studies (30%).

While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is focused on enhancing student development and academic growth. Union Heights Elementary is situated in a rural area, providing a close-knit community environment where students can thrive. The school's location offers a unique setting that fosters a strong sense of connection between families and educators, contributing to a supportive learning atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Union Heights 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 Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,034

Union Heights Elementary — Students at Union Heights Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
39.7%
ELA
37%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Union Heights Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in TN
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Location

663 Lebanon HWY, Carthage, TN 37030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Defeated Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 9.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tuckers Crossroads Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lebanon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gordonsville Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Gordonsville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carthage, see our Carthage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville 6.8 mi 5.4
Smith County High School Carthage 6.1 mi 7.2
Smith County Middle School Carthage 6.6 mi 4.6
Carthage Elementary Carthage 6.6 mi 4.5
Tuckers Crossroads Elementary Lebanon 7.9 mi 8.6
Trousdale Co Elementary Hartsville 9.5 mi 5.8
Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville 9.4 mi 7.2
Gordonsville High School Gordonsville 9.5 mi 3.8
Defeated Elementary Carthage 9.7 mi 9.0
Jim Satterfield Middle School Hartsville 10.7 mi 7.1
Watertown High School Watertown 12.1 mi 5.4
Watertown Middle School Watertown 12.2 mi 8.1
Trousdale Co High School Hartsville 11.9 mi 7.8
Watertown Elementary Watertown 12.4 mi 5.2
Forks River Elementary Elmwood 11.0 mi 3.6
Carroll Oakland Elementary Lebanon 12.4 mi 7.1
Sam Houston Elementary Lebanon 13.0 mi 6.0
Walter J. Baird Middle School Lebanon 13.6 mi 3.7
Coles Ferry Elementary Lebanon 13.7 mi 7.1
Macon County Junior High School Lafayette 16.6 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,510

Median Home Value

$226,000

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

7,889

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Union Heights Elementary has a median household income of $57,510. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Dyllis Springs Elementary Oliver Springs, TN 7.0
Hawkins Elementary Rogersville, TN 7.0
Holston View Elementary Bristol, TN 7.0
TATES SCHOOL Knoxville, TN 7.0
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Kingsport, TN 7.0
Walland Elementary School Walland, TN 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union Heights Elementary

What grades does Union Heights Elementary serve?

Union Heights Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Union Heights Elementary?

Union Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 242 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Union Heights Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union Heights Elementary rank in TN?

Union Heights Elementary is ranked #668 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Union Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Heights Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Heights Elementary has 31.2% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Union Heights Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Union Heights Elementary a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,705/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carthage). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Smith County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smith County
District Enrollment
3,033
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,329
District Rank
#4 of 9

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

Related reading

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