Excellent
#354 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 19% 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
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#354 of 1,851
In Big Stone Gap
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#10 of 11
Wise County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Union High
High School in Big Stone Gap · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Union Primary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Union Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Union High
Union High is a public high school in Big Stone Gap, VA, part of Wise County Public Schools. Union High serves approximately 567 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Union High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #354 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Union High show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 7.8
- VA avg 6.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Union High — Students at Union High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Union High Compares
See how Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.4/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Norton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Central High (rated 7.2/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Norton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Letcher County Central High School (rated 7.2/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Whitesburg), with a comparable 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 | 9.1 |
| Union Middle Big Stone Gap | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| J.I. Burton High Norton | 6.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Norton Elementary Norton | 7.7 mi | 8.4 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 8.3 mi | — |
| Rye Cove High Duffield | 10.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport | 10.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Central High Norton | 9.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 12.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 12.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Wise Primary Wise | 11.0 mi | 8.9 |
| L.F. Addington Middle Wise | 11.1 mi | 9.4 |
| MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise | 11.6 mi | — |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden | 13.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg | 15.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg | 16.6 mi | — |
| Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg | 16.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 14.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg | 17.5 mi | 7.5 |
| West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg | 17.5 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central High Victoria, VA | 8.0 |
| Clarke County High Berryville, VA | 8.0 |
| Honaker High Honaker, VA | 8.1 |
| Poquoson High Poquoson, VA | 8.1 |
| Page County High Shenandoah, VA | 8.2 |
| Greensville County High Emporia, VA | 7.8 |
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 ranks #354 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Union High's MySchoolScout rating?
Union High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% 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?
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 23 Car-Dependent
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.3%
- Phone
- (276) 523-1290
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Wise County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,883
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,973
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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