| Metric | Union County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 41,497 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 52 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,339/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 36% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union County Public Schools (this district) | 10/10 | 99th | 41,497 |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8/10 | 73rd | 144,197 |
| Cabarrus County Schools | 10/10 | 94th | 34,810 |
| Stanly County Schools | 8/10 | 73rd | 8,643 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 99th percentile → 10/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
- Antioch Elementary — 1.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 816 students
- Indian Trail Elementary — 1.7 mi · Grades PK–5 · 633 students
- Sun Valley Middle — 2.9 mi · Grades 6–8 · 909 students
- Shiloh Valley Elementary — 3.0 mi · Grades 3–5 · 574 students
- Sun Valley High — 3.1 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,272 students
- Shiloh Valley Primary School — 3.1 mi · Grades PK–2 · 563 students
- Wesley Chapel Elementary — 3.9 mi · Grades K–5 · 729 students
- Weddington Middle — 3.9 mi · Grades 6–8 · 1,324 students
About Union County Public Schools
Union County Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 28104 in Matthews, North Carolina. Serving students from Pre-K – 13th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 28104. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
Union County Public Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 10/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Union County Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in North Carolina on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 28104 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28104
Children in zip code 28104 are assigned to Union County Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28104, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Union County Public Schools at (704)296-9898 or visit www.ucps.k12.nc.us. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Matthews
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Union County Public Schools serves zip code 28104, homes in and around zip code 28104 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Union County Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28104.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Union County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28104 data.