Union County Public Schools

A District Committed to Innovation

Building Pathways for Success

In one of the fastest-growing regions of North Carolina, Union County Public Schools has built a reputation for innovation, strong academic outcomes, and meaningful community partnerships.

“The core work of our district is to ensure that all of our kids are receiving a high-quality education in a safe environment every single day,” Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan shares. That mission is paired with ambitious goals for the future. He adds, “Our primary vision is to be the best school district, not only in the state of North Carolina, but in the southeast region and in the nation.”

The results truly speak for themselves. Union County Public Schools was recently recognized as the highest-performing school district in North Carolina.

“We have a significantly high graduation rate, a tremendous amount of community and business support, and a lot of innovation on both the academic and non-academic end, which positions the district very well to really be a desirable district for families,” touts Dr. Houlihan.

“We know for a fact that many of our families choose to live in our county because of the school system, and we’re very proud of the work that’s been happening for the last decade.”

Health Sciences Foundations

One of the most innovative initiatives in the district is its Health Sciences Academy, created in partnership with Atrium Health. The program introduces healthcare careers to students as early as kindergarten and continues through high school, creating a strong workforce pipeline.

“It’s a huge significance for us, because in healthcare workforce development is key,” says Denise White, Facility Executive and Chief Nurse at Atrium Health Union. “Our workforce is shrinking as it relates to so many opportunities out there, and we know that one of the keys for us is to grow our own.”

The program introduces students to the full spectrum of healthcare careers, not just the most visible roles. “I think that old feeling that if you’re going to go into health sciences you have to be a nurse or a physician is still out there,” she says.

“They [the students] start very early with introducing them to what health sciences really are.”

Through the academy, students have access to a variety of experiences, including internships with healthcare professionals. The program also focuses on expanding options for students with barriers to economic mobility. White notes, “They’ve allowed us to introduce those students to great opportunities that they may not have ever known of.”

Since the program launched in 2017, Atrium Health has hired more than 20 graduates who began their healthcare journey in the academy. “We have now created a program where they can become EMTs while they’re still in high school,” she recounts.

“That for us has been a huge game changer, because regardless of what you decide to do in your healthcare career, that certified nursing assistant, or that EMT  foundational course, really sets the tone for building upon future success. When these students leave the HSA program as graduates, they have that certification in hand, so they’re able to join the workforce and be prepared to work as they obtain further degrees.”

Real World Learning for Future Success

The district’s newest campus, Forest Hills High School, was designed with hands-on learning in mind. Students gain beneficial skills in a variety of settings, from welding labs and automotive bays to culinary kitchens, STEM classrooms, and fully equipped health science labs. Forest Hills High School also offers a well-recognized AgTech pathway, which is one of the favored pathways for some students.

“When it comes to technology and spaces where students can learn, they are getting real-world experience in the classroom every single day,” Principal Adrien Porter highlights. “It’s very exciting and very motivating for our students to be able to be educated in these high-tech spaces.”

This design reflects the district’s hands-on approach to learning. “We don’t want students sitting in front of a computer answering multiple-choice questions. We want students getting up, getting active, getting involved in the work, getting hands-on opportunities, doing collaborations with their classmates,” he emphasizes.

Expanding Career Pathways

Preparing students for life after graduation is a central focus at Union County Public Schools. Brian Davis, Director of Career Readiness, oversees a wide range of opportunities that connect high school programs with local colleges and industries.

“I like to look at our pathways as stackable pathways,” he expands. “They build on themselves so that there is a series of courses that we encourage students to get into and matriculate through that really prepare them for a career path.”

These programs allow students to progress from introductory courses in high school to advanced training at institutions such as South Piedmont Community College and Wingate University. They also prepare students who want to go straight into the workforce.

At Monroe High School, programs concentrate on health sciences and biomedical studies. “Those really focus in on some pathways at the community college, where they’re looking at doctors, pre-med, EMT, exercise science, medical assisting, sonography, nursing, pharmacy,” says Davis. “It’s not just one path. We’re looking at what that student is interested in and giving them options to explore.”

Forest Hills High School focuses on agricultural technology and related fields, with pathways that include animal science, sustainability, business, and mechanics. “Ag business is one of the biggest areas of need that we have right now in the nation,” he conveys. “In North Carolina, Union County actually is number four in agriculture. So there are a lot of opportunities here, and we have a lot of businesses where these students can take that and go to work.”

Not only are these programs diverse, but they are also continuously evolving. Davis recounts, “As we get feedback from partners like Atrium Health, we work to develop pathways that are better aligned with what they’re seeing as career needs.” Agriculture options are also designed to meet demand.

“We’ve worked with our South Piedmont Community College to add in an ag business certificate pathway so that those students can complete our programs, get our credentials, and then matriculate into a South Piedmont Community College ag business pathway, where they can get more robust knowledge that will prepare them to go to work,” he continues.

Union County Public Schools is also working to prepare students for opportunities in skilled trades. Programs across the district offer training in carpentry, welding, electrical work, masonry, HVAC, automotive service, and collision repair.

“In our academy model, we allow any student in their junior or senior year to travel to our trade programs and take those, and they fill up,” says Davis.

“We do a lot of work with our industry partners. We meet with focus groups to see the needs that they have. We also look at the equipment that they need, and we try to make sure that our students are operating in class on equipment that they would be using in the industry field, so that they are prepared to hit the workplace.”

Investing in the Future

As the district continues to invest in its future, the community has approved multiple school bonds over the past decade. “Those have been for the purpose of building new schools and renovating current schools,” says Dr. Houlihan. “When it comes to school development, there is strong support. That’s something we’re very, very proud of and appreciative of.”

Forest Hills High School is one example. The new campus replaced a building that dated back to the 1960’s. “If you were to walk into the New Forest Hills High School, you’re at a $139 million campus that is phenomenal,” he depicts.

“We also passed a bond in 2024 that would allow for the Old Forest Hills campus to be completely renovated to become the feeder pattern of a new East Union Middle School, and we’re working on design and construction of that building right now.”

The district also maintains a $20 million annual capital improvement plan that covers facility upgrades, technology investments, transportation, and classroom equipment.

A Clear Path Forward

Looking ahead, Union County Public Schools is focused on sustaining its momentum.

“We’ve had a lot of significant progress. We’ve turned around low-performing schools coming out of the pandemic. We’ve sustained historical measures with academic performance. So first and foremost, our big priority is maintaining a high degree of performance,” outlines Dr. Houlihan.

Student well-being is another objective. “We are making sure that our students and staff are physically, mentally, and emotionally safe daily,” he says. “There are physical safety measures in place, but also resources in the form of counselors, mental health therapists, that are there for children to have access to.”

The overarching goal is for Union County Public Schools to remain a district of choice for families.

“We are doing all that we can to create strategies so that every child has full access to a portfolio of options in terms of academic and non-academic programming,” he asserts.

“We want our families to choose us, and to see that Union County Public Schools is a great choice for their family.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Union County Public Schools

What: A K-12 district recognized for innovation and high performance

Where: Monroe, NC

Website: www.ucpsnc.org