Union County Education: Which school had most students enrolled in 2023-24 school year?

Union Academy had the highest enrollment among Union County schools, welcoming 2,173 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Among the 52 schools in Union County, Marvin Ridge High School ranked second in enrollment numbers with 2,044 students, while Weddington High School welcomed 1,852 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Union Academy is part of Union Academy Charter School district, which roughly covers institutions within Union County and has a main office in Monroe.

In the previous school year, Union Academy also had the highest number of students among Union County schools.

Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).

Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.