For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 3,658 students in Union County, SC (there are , serving 101 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Union County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Union County, SC are Union County High School, Monarch Elementary School and Jonesville Elementary Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Union County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Union County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Union County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Union County High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1163 Lakeside Drive
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1750
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1750
Gr: 9-12 | 1,069 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #22.
Monarch Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
218 Monarch School Drive
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1733
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1733
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Jonesville Elementary Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
350 New Hope Church Road
Jonesville, SC 29353
(864) 674-5518
Jonesville, SC 29353
(864) 674-5518
Gr: PK-8 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #44.
Foster Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
901 Arthur Boulevard
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1737
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1737
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #55.
Buffalo Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
733 Main Street
Buffalo, SC 29321
(864) 429-1730
Buffalo, SC 29321
(864) 429-1730
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #66.
Sims Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2200 Whitmire Highway
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1755
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1755
Gr: 6-8 | 635 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: n/an/a
Union County Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
1165 Lakeside Drive
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1765
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1765
Gr: 9-12
Union County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
212 Culp Street
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1725
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1725
Gr: 5-6 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
350 New Hope Church Road
Jonesville, SC 29353
(864) 674-5518
Jonesville, SC 29353
(864) 674-5518
Gr: 6-8 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
212 Lockhart Drive
Lockhart, SC 29364
(864) 545-6501
Lockhart, SC 29364
(864) 545-6501
Gr: K-8 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Union County Careertech Center (Closed 2007)
Vocational School
1165 Lakeside Drive
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1765
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1765
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Union County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Union County, SC include Union County High School, Monarch Elementary School and Jonesville Elementary Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Union County?
7 public schools are located in Union County.
What percentage of students in Union County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Union County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Union County?
Union County public schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Union County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Union County include: Monarch Elementary School vs. Foster Park Elementary School, Foster Park Elementary School vs. Monarch Elementary School, Buffalo Elementary School vs. Foster Park Elementary School
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.