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
Enrollment
567
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Union High — Students at Union High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
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 6 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: 8.6/10.
How Union High Compares
See how Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 94% (2019) to 85% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 90% (2025).
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.
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
- Phone
- (276) 523-1290
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wise County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,883
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,973
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.