By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City Schools continue to occupy a lofty spot in the state’s ACT pecking order.
Recent data released by the Tennessee Department of Education revealed that students at UC High School ranked sixth overall and in the top five percent in the state among more than 125 districts, with a combined ACT average of 21.3 for the 2023-24 school year.
That continued the Top 10 trend of the past several years that has seen Union City Schools atop the list of rural West Tennessee Schools – no matter the enrollment size of the school district.
UCHS has been sixth in the state for the last three years in cumulative ACT scores, and its 21.3 average is considerably higher than the state average, which rose to 19.3 from 19.0 last year.
“Absolutely remarkable,” Union City Director of Schools Wes Kennedy said when confirming the news. “To repeatedly be ranked among the upper echelon in the entire state despite the socio-economic standing and the per-capita family income of our area is a tremendous accomplishment for our students, teachers, and administration.
“The commitment to excellence in education is more than just a slogan for Union City Schools. The work ethic of everyone involved is simply off the chart. Accomplishments like this can only happen when everyone is on the same team for a common goal, and I’m proud to be a part of an incredible collective effort.”
The standardized ACT covers four academic skill areas – English, math, reading, and scientific reasoning. There was a statewide 99 percent ACT participation rate for the graduating Class of 2024.
The ACT provides essential measures to understand students’ college and career readiness and how Tennessee prepares the next generation to transition to postsecondary opportunities.
Of the 75 graduating Union City students who took the test last year and received a regular diploma, more than 50 percent scored 21 or better. That figure is considerably higher than the state average (37.7), with the 21-mark significant as Tennessee public school graduates become eligible for the HOPE scholarship by scoring that composite total.
Seven members of the Class of 2024 were members of the prestigious 30+ ACT Club, qualifying them for even more scholarship monies.
Since 1965, nearly 250 UCHS students have earned 30 or better on the test – 120 in the past 11 years. There have been nearly 150 students to make that score since the creation of the magnet school in 2007.
UC High School Principal Jacob Cross proudly lauded his school’s continued lofty state ranking and acknowledged the team effort of the entire system as crucial to the process.
“Preparing for the ACT actually begins in our elementary school, with reading strategies and foundational math skills,” Cross said. “Any time you have a continued achievement of this nature, it’s a testament to the tremendous work of the entire system’s faculty and staff – Pre-K through the 12th grade – along with the dedication and determination of our students.
“I take great pride in being a part of the Union City Schools team and will continue to do everything I can to help us reach our lofty expectations and goals.”