UCPS scores the highest in the state for overall End-of-Grade and End-of-Course proficiency

Union County Public Schools (UCPS) and the North Carolina State Board of Education announced academic and school accountability results for the 2024-2025 school year.

During the Sept. 4 Union County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan and staff released data for district and grade level proficiency rates, growth, school performance grades and the four-year cohort graduation rate. In addition, staff reported on a number of non-accountability performance indicators related to college and career readiness.

UCPS has outperformed the state and the 12 largest districts in multiple testing and accountability areas. Most notably, 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.

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

In response to the recent state accountability results, Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan said to have the highest EOG and EOC proficiency rate in the entire state is an incredible accomplishment.

“We set high expectations and our teachers, students, parents and support staff worked hard to meet our goals,” Houlihan said. “I want to commend our staff for staying the course, implementing effective teaching and learning strategies and raising the bar. We know that our tutoring model, professional development programs and other student support initiatives are working and moving us in the right direction.”

Graduation Rate

The UCPS 2025 Cohort Graduation Rate (CGR) is 93.2 percent, the highest graduation rate among the 12 largest districts. The state’s four-year graduation rate is 87.7 percent.

Student Proficiency

As reported, UCPS ranked the highest in overall EOG and EOC proficiency. This includes reading, math and science in grades three through 12.

Elementary students showed an increase in reading and math EOG proficiency. Fifth-grade reading jumped nearly three percentage points, fourth-grade reading increased by nearly four percentage points and third-grade reading took a slight dip with a 1.6 percentage point decrease.

UCPS also saw gains across the board in elementary math. Third-and fifth-grade math increased by 1.3 and 2.2 percentage points, respectively. Fourth-grade math remained flat.

Middle school EOGs reached exceptional gains in reading and math. All grade levels showed an increase from 2024, with eighth-grade math going up 4.5 percentage points, from 64.7 percent in 2024 to 69.2 percent in 2025.

School Performance Grades

In the 2024-2025 school year, more schools earned a School Performance Grade (SPG) of A, B or C. State data shows that 86 percent (43 out of 50) schools met or exceeded expected growth. This compares to 88 percent in 2024.

During the 2024-2025 school year, more schools earned a SPG of A, B or C. In UCPS, 90 percent (45 out of 50 schools) have a performance grade higher than a D. In addition, nine schools moved up a letter grade. UCPS does not have any F schools.

UCPS is also proud to announce that three schools moved out of low-performing status. Benton Heights Elementary, Parkwood Middle and Sun Valley Middle exited the state’s low-performing list by increasing overall proficiency. UCPS now has five low-performing schools, compared to 13 in the 2021-2022 school year.

Moving from a D to a B, Sun Valley Middle exceeded growth, having the highest growth score of all schools in the state.

“When a school moves out of low-performing status, it creates a different culture for the students, teachers, staff and the community, Houlihan said. “I am extremely proud of these principals and their staff for setting high expectations, doing the work and achieving significant results. We will continue to work hard to remove the remaining schools from this list.”

Note: Three schools, South Providence, Walter Bickett Education Center and Wolfe School participate in the Alternative Accountability Model.

Non-accountability performance indicators

• UCPS students earned 13,259 Career and Technical Education (CTE) credentials, compared to 13,161 in 2023-2024.
• A total of 8,083 Advanced Placement (AP) exams were taken in 2024-2025. This is an increase of 852 from the previous year.
• The district’s AP pass rate is 80 percent for 2024-2025. This is up from 74 percent in 2023-2024.
• Reading proficiency increased for kindergarten, first and second-graders. Data shows that UCPS is above state levels.