Very Good
#589 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 32% in state
Union Primary
Elementary School · Wise County Public Schools
2945 Second Avenue East, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Enrollment
830
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
830
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Stone Gap
#2 of 3
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#321 of 1,147
In district
#8 of 11
Wise County Public Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Union Primary
Union Primary serves 830 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. This well-regarded elementary school maintains a favorable 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio with 62 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where young learners can receive personalized attention during these crucial early academic years. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #349 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.
Union Primary's academic success is particularly evident in its core subjects, with 87% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics across all grade levels tested. Located at 2945 Second Avenue East, Union Primary serves families in the 24219 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $58,380 and median home values average $142,100. The community of approximately 10,460 residents has an 18% college graduation rate and a poverty rate of 12.6%, reflecting a working-class neighborhood with diverse economic circumstances.
Union Primary operates as a regular public school in the town setting of Big Stone Gap, nestled in Virginia's Wise County, providing a solid educational foundation for students in this Appalachian community.
Score Breakdown
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Union Primary — Students at Union Primary score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 6.8/10.
How Union Primary Compares
See how Union Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 97% (2019) to 89% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 90% (2019) to 89% (2025).
Location
2945 Second Avenue East, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wise Primary (rated 8.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Wise), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cowan Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Whitesburg), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Duffield-Pattonsville Primary (rated 6.7/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Duffield), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Big Stone Gap, see our Big Stone Gap schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Union Middle Big Stone Gap | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| J.I. Burton High Norton | 6.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Norton Elementary Norton | 7.5 mi | 5.4 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 8.5 mi | — |
| Rye Cove High Duffield | 10.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Central High Norton | 9.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport | 10.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 12.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Wise Primary Wise | 10.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 12.6 mi | 6.7 |
| L.F. Addington Middle Wise | 10.9 mi | 8.5 |
| MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise | 11.4 mi | — |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden | 13.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg | 15.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg | 16.3 mi | — |
| Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg | 16.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 14.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg | 17.1 mi | 5.7 |
| West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg | 17.2 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 Primary 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 |
|---|---|
| Alanton Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 7.2 |
| Catoctin Elementary Leesburg, VA | 7.2 |
| Dranesville Elementary Herndon, VA | 7.2 |
| Flat Rock Elementary Powhatan, VA | 7.2 |
| Florence Bowser Elementary Suffolk, VA | 7.2 |
| Meadowview Elementary Meadowview, VA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Union Primary
What grades does Union Primary serve?
Union Primary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Union Primary?
Union Primary has an enrollment of approximately 830 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Primary?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Primary is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Union Primary rank in VA?
Union Primary is ranked #589 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Union Primary's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Primary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Primary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Primary has 87.2% math proficiency and 87.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Union Primary a charter school?
No, Union Primary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Union Primary a Title I school?
No, Union Primary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Primary?
89.0% of students at Union Primary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Big Stone Gap). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 830
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Wise County
- Phone
- (276) 523-4900
- 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
- #8 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
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