Welcome to Union County Public Schools, the sixth-largest district in North Carolina that serves nearly 41,000 students and employs approximately 5,000 dedicated individuals. As one of the top-performing school districts in North Carolina, UCPS leads the Charlotte region and the 12 largest school districts in a number of academic performance areas.

Our goal is to provide high-quality instruction each day and provide a safe learning environment for all students. Through a number of academic programs and support services, students have the opportunity to reach their full potential with the guidance of experienced educators.

At UCPS, we believe in innovative learning. In addition to core subjects, students can select from a broad range of academic programs to meet their unique needs and aspirations. These programs include opportunities in the arts, career and technical education, advanced placement classes, career-focused academies, early college and dual-enrollment courses with local colleges and universities.

The UCPS Portrait of a Graduate is a roadmap for students in all grades. It highlights five essential skills they will need in school and life. The focus areas are innovative leader, a resilient problem-solver, a key contributor, an effective communicator and a skilled collaborator. It prepares students for their next steps, whether it's college, military service or employment.

Union County Public Schools (UCPS) is proud to offer a variety of academic programming to students of all levels. Unique academic options include:

• 30 dual-language programs
• More than 44 pathways and 24 academies through Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts
• International Baccalaureate Programs
• Union County Early College
• Central Academy of Technology and Arts
• Health Sciences Academy
• Agrotechnology (AgTech) Academy
• Sustainable Energy Academy
• and much more!

• For the 2024-2025 school year, UCPS outperformed the state and the 12 largest districts in multiple testing and accountability areas.
• At 70.7 percent, UCPS ranked number one in the state for End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) proficiency. The state’s overall EOG and EOC proficiency rate is 55 percent. 
• Cohort Graduation Rate is 93.2%
• In comparison to the 12 largest districts, UCPS ranked number one in the following areas:
  • NC Math 1 EOC, NC Math 3 EOC, English 2 EOC, Biology EOC, and all EOCs combined (grades 9-12)
  • All reading EOGs combined, all math EOGs combined, all science EOGs combined and all EOGs combined (grades 3-8)
  • All EOGs and EOCs combined (grades 3-12)
  • ACT Proficiency, Combined ACT and WorkKeys Proficiency
  • 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate, 5-year Cohort Graduation Rate
  • English Learner (EL) Progress
  • Math Course Rigor—tied for first (at >95 percent) with six of the other large districts
• Superintendent Dr. Andrew G. Houlihan, 2022 and 2025 Southwest Regional Superintendent of the Year.
• 2024 Union County Chamber Employer of Choice.
• 9 Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools: Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, Indian Trail Elementary, Porter Ridge High, Prospect Elementary, Rocky River Elementary, Sandy Ridge Elementary, Shiloh Valley Elementary, Shiloh Valley Primary and Sun Valley Middle. 
• 2019 Sandy Hook Promise Start with Hello District Winner.