Union High School, located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, is part of Wise County Public Schools. Union High School is a consolidated school, serving students from Appalachia and Big Stone Gap.
Serving 567 students in grades 9-12, Union High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥90% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75-79% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 567 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 10%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 20% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Union High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Union High School's student population of 567 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 38 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
567 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
38 teachers
Year Founded
2011
Colors
Navy Blue, Orange
School Rankings
Union High School ranks within the top 20% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Union High School is 0.19, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#251 out of 1773 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥90%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)75-79%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)70-74%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
8%
Hispanic
2%
19%
Black
5%
22%
White
90%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
88%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
7%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Bear
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Union High School's ranking?
Union High School is ranked #251 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Union High School often compared to?
Union High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Eastside High School, Central High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥90% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 75-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Union High School?
The graduation rate of Union High School is 95%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Union High School?
567 students attend Union High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
90% of Union High School students are White, 5% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Union High School?
Union High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Union High School offer ?
Union High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Union High School part of?
Union High School is part of Wise County School District.
School Reviews
2 1/17/2015
This past Friday night while attending a varsity boys game I was shocked to hear the music being played during the warm up.The foul mouth rap artist which was singing four letter words completely unsuitable for a crowd coming to a school sporting event. I was offended by having to listen to this garbage. Please consider what I am saying and use more respect to the people in the audience coming to your sporting events.
Review Union High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
