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Very Good

#682 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 37% in state

Union High

High School · Wise County Public Schools

322 Powell Valley Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

Enrollment

567

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Big Stone Gap

#3 of 3

public schools

Virginia high schools

#144 of 323

In district

#9 of 11

Wise County Public Schools

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Union High

Union High serves 567 students in grades 9-12 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #298 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, the school demonstrates solid academic achievement across its programs. The school's 37 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a favorable 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio, supporting strong academic outcomes.

Students consistently perform well on state assessments, with 83% achieving proficient or above in English Language Arts and 79% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. Union High draws students from the surrounding Big Stone Gap community in Wise County, where the median household income is $58,380 and median home values average $142,100.

The school serves a diverse population within this town setting, where 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the poverty rate stands at 12.6%. Located at 322 Powell Valley Road, Union High operates as a regular public school serving families throughout this close-knit Appalachian community, where education remains a priority for local families seeking quality academic preparation for their teenagers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Math vs. State Avg+9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,634

Union High — Students at Union High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
94%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
85%
ELA
90%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Union High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in VA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

322 Powell Valley Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. J.I. Burton High (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Norton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Letcher County Central High School (rated 7.5/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Whitesburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rye Cove High (rated 7.3/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Duffield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Big Stone Gap, see our Big Stone Gap schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Primary Big Stone Gap 0.3 mi 7.2
Union Middle Big Stone Gap 0.4 mi 8.2
J.I. Burton High Norton 6.7 mi 7.7
Norton Elementary Norton 7.7 mi 5.4
POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden 8.3 mi
Rye Cove High Duffield 10.3 mi 7.3
Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport 10.5 mi 5.6
Central High Norton 9.3 mi 5.9
Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield 12.3 mi 6.7
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia 12.5 mi 3.7
Wise Primary Wise 11.0 mi 8.1
L.F. Addington Middle Wise 11.1 mi 8.5
MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise 11.6 mi
Dryden Elementary Dryden 13.3 mi 5.9
Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg 15.9 mi 7.4
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg 16.6 mi
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg 16.8 mi 7.5
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland 14.7 mi 6.6
Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg 17.5 mi 5.7
West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg 17.5 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,303

Median Home Value

$161,300

Median Rent

$808/mo

Population

10,416

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

70.2%

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Union High has a median household income of $52,303. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,300, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Graham High Bluefield, VA 7.0
Lancaster High Lancaster, VA 7.0
Buffalo Gap High Swoope, VA 6.9
Central High Woodstock, VA 7.1
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria, VA 7.1
Strasburg High Strasburg, VA 6.9

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 567 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union High?

The student-teacher ratio at Union High is 15.3:1. 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 VA?

Union High is ranked #682 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Union High's MySchoolScout rating?

Union High 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union High has 78.7% math proficiency and 83.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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?

88.4% 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

City Safety
High (1,676/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Big Stone Gap). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Wise County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wise County Public Schools
District Enrollment
5,883
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,973
District Rank
#9 of 11

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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