UCHS Ranks 6th In State, Highest In West Tennessee In ACT Scores

By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Already a member of the elite, the Union City School System continues to trend upward when it comes to ACT composite scores in Tennessee.
UC ranked No. 6 in the entire state – up one place from last year – among 127 school districts in average ACT scores for the 2018-19 school year, according to data released Monday by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Union City students’ 22.8 average score is the highest among rural West Tennessee School Districts, with the UCSS the only rural school system in the Top 10 among West Tennessee schools. Union City scores rose on average from 22.4 last year.
The statewide ACT composite average was 20.0, down two-tenths of a point.
Ninety-seven percent of UCHS students took the ACT last year and 61.3 percent scored 21 or better.
That 21 score is significant as Tennessee public school graduates become eligible for the HOPE scholarship by earning that composite total.
“The most amazing part is that Union City Schools continues to rise among the elite despite the socio-economic standing and the per-capita family income of our area,” UC Director of Schools Wes Kennedy said after receiving the good-news notification. “When you look at the five districts that are ahead of us (Germantown, Williamson County, Collierville, Maryville and Oak Ridge) and compare those things with ours and students with disabilities, it’s mind-boggling that we achieve what we do.
“It’s a true testament to all our teachers – from pre-K through the 12^th grade – and our students who work so hard and so diligently to do their best.”
There are currently a dozen UCHS students – eight juniors and four seniors – who’ve scored 30 or better on the ACT. Five more are just a point away from that elite status with a 29.
“I am grateful and honored to be a part of your incredible team and even more grateful to be the father of three children that attended or are attending Union City Schools,” Kennedy said in an email to his faculty.
“This amazing feat can only happen when you have the best teachers and staff in the world that work tirelessly for their students because they love them unconditionally and have high expectations for them.
“I’m so proud to be a Golden Tornado!”
ACT results serve as a national-normed measure to indicate college and career readiness for high school students.
Under Tennessee’s accountability model, earning a 21 on the ACT is one of the four ways students can indicate that they are prepared for life after high school and a seamless entry into post-secondary education, the workplace, or the military.
“More Tennessee students than ever before are taking advantage of the ACT and ACT retake,” said Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “It is critical that we continue to increase access to these high-quality opportunities for all students, no matter where they live.
“This is one way that we will build a foundation to set all students on a path to success.”