Union County Schools & Education
Union County, Arkansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,923
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,160
School Score
33/100
Higher = better
State avg 38/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#47
of 75 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Union County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 33/100, Union County maintains a strong graduation rate of 90.3%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,923 per pupil, Union County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Union County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 12% below the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Union County, Arkansas
Diverse Districts Across the County
Union County is home to 15 public schools serving 7,076 students through six different school districts. The system includes 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools, along with one specialized campus. This variety provides families with multiple district options depending on their specific location within the county.
Steady Performance Near State Averages
The county's graduation rate of 90.3% perfectly matches the Arkansas state average and remains above the 87.0% national benchmark. While the per-pupil expenditure of $5,923 is slightly below the state average, the school score of 51.4 is nearly identical to the state's 51.9. These numbers indicate a stable and consistent educational environment.
El Dorado is the Hub of Union County
The El Dorado School District is the largest by far, with six schools and 4,051 students. Other significant districts include Smackover, with 1,161 students, and Junction City with 702. There are currently no charter schools in Union County, with the focus remaining on traditional district-led education.
Town Schools with a Modern High School Feel
With nine schools in town settings and six in rural areas, the average school size is 505 students. El Dorado High School is the largest campus in the county, educating 1,303 students in a comprehensive secondary environment. This mix allows families to choose between a more centralized town experience or a quieter rural setting.
Standard-Setting Schools for Local Families
Union County offers a balanced educational landscape that mirrors the state's best performance metrics. Homes in the El Dorado district are particularly popular for their proximity to the county’s largest high school and middle schools. Consider the proximity to these stable districts when evaluating your next home purchase.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Union County
Total Enrollment
7,076
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Union County
EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT
SMACKOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARKERS CHAPEL SCHOOL DIST.
JUNCTION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
STRONG-HUTTIG SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOUTH ARK CAREER CENTER
15 Public Schools in Union County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL DORADO HIGH SCHOOL | EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,303 |
| BARTON JR. HIGH SCHOOL | EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–8 | Middle | 616 |
| YOCUM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–4 | Primary | 596 |
| SMACKOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SMACKOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 545 |
| WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–6 | Middle | 536 |
| HUGH GOODWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 525 |
| PARKERS CHAPEL ELEM. SCHOOL | PARKERS CHAPEL SCHOOL DIST. | PK–6 | Primary | 487 |
| NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EL DORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–4 | Primary | 475 |
| JUNCTION CITY ELEM. SCHOOL | JUNCTION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–6 | Primary | 384 |
| PARKERS CHAPEL HIGH SCHOOL | PARKERS CHAPEL SCHOOL DIST. | 7–12 | High | 359 |
| JUNCTION CITY HIGH SCHOOL | JUNCTION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 318 |
| NORPHLET MIDDLE SCHOOL | SMACKOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 317 |
| STRONG-HUTTIG SCHOOLS | STRONG-HUTTIG SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 316 |
| SMACKOVER HIGH SCHOOL | SMACKOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 299 |
| SOUTH ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TECHNICAL CENTER | SOUTH ARK CAREER CENTER | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,923
State avg $6,160
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Union County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Union County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Union County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Union County?
How much does Union County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Union County, Arkansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Union County, Arkansas?
Union County is home to 15 public schools serving 7,076 students through six different school districts. The system includes 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools, along with one specialized campus. This variety provides families with multiple district options depending on their specific location within the county.
How do schools in Union County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 90.3% perfectly matches the Arkansas state average and remains above the 87.0% national benchmark. While the per-pupil expenditure of $5,923 is slightly below the state average, the school score of 51.4 is nearly identical to the state's 51.9. These numbers indicate a stable and consistent educational environment.
What are the major school districts in Union County, Arkansas?
The El Dorado School District is the largest by far, with six schools and 4,051 students. Other significant districts include Smackover, with 1,161 students, and Junction City with 702. There are currently no charter schools in Union County, with the focus remaining on traditional district-led education.
What is the school experience like in Union County?
With nine schools in town settings and six in rural areas, the average school size is 505 students. El Dorado High School is the largest campus in the county, educating 1,303 students in a comprehensive secondary environment. This mix allows families to choose between a more centralized town experience or a quieter rural setting.
How can I find homes near good schools in Union County, Arkansas?
Union County offers a balanced educational landscape that mirrors the state's best performance metrics. Homes in the El Dorado district are particularly popular for their proximity to the county’s largest high school and middle schools. Consider the proximity to these stable districts when evaluating your next home purchase.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.