By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Students at Union City Schools continue to shine when it comes to the state’s best ACT scores.
Union City Schools ranked sixth among more than 125 Tennessee school districts with a cumulative average of 21.7 for the 2022-23 school year, according to recent data from the state education commission.
The impressive accomplishment continued a trend that has seen UC Schools rank among the state’s elite for the past several years and once more put the district atop all rural West Tennessee schools.
“This is a true testament to the top-notch teachers, students, administrators, and parents that we have here at Union City Schools,” Director of Schools Wes Kennedy said. “We consistently work hard to ensure that every student has the knowledge and desire to do well on the national exam.
“We take great pride in our ACT scores because they are the true comparison across the state and the nation. Great ACT scores start in elementary school with foundational knowledge, and those foundations are built upon outstanding middle school and high school instruction and hard work.
“That we have consistently been ranked in the Top Ten in the state for the past decade is a great source of pride for everyone in our school system.”
Union City was easily the smallest (enrollment-wise) among the best-performing districts. Only Williamson County, Germantown, Collierville, Maryville, and Oak Ridge posted better cumulative scores, with UC trailing OR for No. 5 by just four-tenths of a point.
UCHS Principal Jacob Cross noted that all non-CDC students who receive a diploma from his school must take the ACT at least once, with that student’s highest score used by the state to compile the state rankings.
Cross also detailed the HOPE Scholarship, which is available to students who score 21 or higher on the ACT. The top UC High School administrator called it a “game changer” for college-bound students and their families with its financial benefits.
Union City had 55 percent of its Class of 2023 to qualify for the Hope Scholarship. There were 11 students who were members of the prestigious 30+ Club – triggering even more scholarship money.
Since 1965, 241 students have earned 30 or better on the test. There have been 149 students to make that score since the creation of the magnet school in 2007.
“ACT preparation has become part of the DNA of Union City Schools,” Cross stated. “To be ranked this high in the state is a tremendous accomplishment for our students, faculty, and staff. We are blessed with an amazing elementary and middle school that put our high school students in a position to be successful.
“I can’t say enough about the faculty of UCHS. They are dedicated to preparing students for life after high school. Accomplishments like this are certainly an indication of their extraordinary work.”
Kennedy said the news was worthy of an in-house celebration and announced that all students and staff at UC Middle and High School would be treated to all-you-can-eat hot wings, ice cream, and soft drinks on Friday as a reward. Free ice cream will be available to all Union City Elementary School students, with staff treated to unlimited hot wings.