Annual Review 2_AF Draft 5 spreads Web

2017 Annual Review
#TeamUCPS



“Preparing All Students to Succeed.”



Letter from Dr. Houlihan with his headshot and signature
BOE headshots, names and districts

From the Superintendent

It is imperative that we take time reflect on the past and celebrate the hard work, achievements and
success stories in Union County Public Schools (UCPS).

As I think about my first year as Superintendent of UCPS, a few words come to mind—growth,
continuous improvement, equity and accomplishments.

The 2016-17 school year provided numerous opportunities to applaud the exceptional educational
foundation of UCPS and build on its success. We are on a path to be the best school system in the
region, state and nation, and are learning from the past to better guide our present and future.

The progress we have made with literacy, technology and college and career readiness is exceptional.
We have also made great strides to ensure equity across UCPS. Our team has provided more instructional
resources, staff support and opportunities to enhance teaching and learning in all schools.

This publication will provide an overview of the achievements in UCPS from the past year and
information about our plans for the future.

UCPS depends greatly on the support of its Board of Education, employees, parents, students and
community partners. I am pleased to share the highlights about our award-winning school district
with you.

Working together as Team UCPS, we will continue to move forward, strive to be the best and work hard
for the students and staff in Union County Public Schools.

Superintendent, Andrew G. Houlihan, Ed.D

Melissa Merrell - Chair Gary Sides - Vice Chair Leslie Boyd
District 4 District 3 At-Large

Kathy Heintel Christina Helms Matt Helms
District 6 At-Large District 2

Joseph Morreale Dennis Rape Candice Sturdivant
District 5 At-Large District 1





About UCPS

Overview

53 - Total Number of Schools
30 - Elementary Schools
9 - Middle Schools
11 - High Schools
2 - Special Schools
1 - Early College
Approximately 5,000 – Total Number of Employees
Approximately 41,500 – Total Number of Students

Student Demographics

63.15 % - White
12.87 % - African American
17.27 % - Hispanic
6.71 % - Other
16.2 % - AIG students
9.65 % - Exceptional students
32.2 % - Free/Reduced Lunch



2016 - 17
Accountability Results

Since 2013, North Carolina public and charter schools have received a letter grade under the General
Assembly’s A-F School Performance Grades legislation, with school performance grades based on 80
percent of the school’s achievement score and 20 percent on students’ academic growth.

In its annual accountability measures report, UCPS announced that 70 percent of the school district’s
53 schools earned an A+(NG), A or B designation, which is an increase of 17 percent from the
previous year. Additionally, 10 schools earned a designation of A+, the most in a four-year period.

With a graduation rate of 92.5 percent, UCPS still has the highest graduation rate among the 10
largest school districts in North Carolina. This is the fifth consecutive year the district’s four-year
graduation cohort rate has exceeded 90 percent, and eight of the district’s 12 high schools had a
graduation rate of 90 percent or higher.

Additional highlights from the report

• 82 percent of schools either met or exceeded growth
• 43 percent of schools exceeded growth, compared to 24 percent in 2015-16
• The number of schools exceeding growth was the highest in the last three-year reporting period
• Overall, Grade Level Proficiency and College and Career Ready scores are the highest in a three-

year reporting period



District Highlights

CATA’s Blue Ribbon Award

Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) was named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School, a
prestigious award that recognizes high-performing public and non-public schools that are making
great strides in education. CATA was one of 329 schools recognized nationally for the 2016 award.
CATA is a comprehensive magnet high school that incorporates rigorous academic and technical
education using an innovative academy concept. In addition to core subjects, students are enrolled
in the following academies: Information Systems, Medical Sciences, Performing Arts, Pre-Engineering
and Transportation Systems.
Since opening in 2006, CATA has received numerous state and national awards for academic
excellence and performing arts.

Athletics Championships

During the 2016-17 academic year, UCPS high school athletics teams won 14 state titles in football,
men’s soccer, women’s tennis, women’s swim/diving, men’s swim/diving, women’s indoor track and
field, wrestling, softball, men’s lacrosse, men’s tennis, women’s soccer, and men’s track and field.
Marvin Ridge High received the 3A Wells Fargo State Cup, an award that recognizes high schools
that achieve the best interscholastic athletic performance in its competitive classification. The school
also won six state championships and claimed the first boys golf title in county history. Additionally,
Weddington High won five state championships, Cutherbertson and Piedmont high schools each
won a state championship, and Parkwood High’s softball team won the school’s first state title in 34
years.

Marvin Ridge’s National Recognition

Marvin Ridge High School made U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 500 best high schools in
America. The high school moved up from 505th place to 275th place in 2017, and received a national
gold medal that indicates Marvin Ridge High is a top 500 high school based on highest college
readiness. Marvin Ridge High also topped local high school ratings and ranked among the top 10
schools in North Carolina.

NC Superintendent visits Unionville Elementary

North Carolina State Superintendent Mark Johnson visited Unionville Elementary School after
hearing about the success of the school’s dual language program. Johnson, along with State Rep.
Craig Horn, toured classrooms seeing first-hand the level of engagement in the classrooms as well as
the students’ ability to speak a second language. Johnson praised the program for helping students
think more critically and cited the students’ test results as proof that the program is beneficial.



1,400,000 minutes read!

Books and Brackets

Thousands of UCPS third-graders geared up for March Madness with “Books and Brackets,” a reading
challenge that encouraged students to record the number of minutes read while at school and home.

Weekly countdowns narrowed the playing field each week from the 30 elementary schools,
beginning with the Sweet 16, then the Elite 8, the Final 4 and then the Books and Brackets Champion.

By the end of the five-week challenge, the 3,000 third graders read a staggering 26 million minutes,
which also equates to more than 430,000 hours. Union Elementary was crowned the Books and
Brackets champions after logging the most minutes.

The top eight schools were honored at Wingate University, where they participated in activities with
the university’s basketball team, met college students and toured the campus.



TeamUCPS Standout Staff

Teacher of the Year

Western Union Elementary teacher Amanda Stinchcomb was chosen as the 2017-18 UCPS Teacher of
the Year.
Amanda was selected for the award not only because she is passionate about teaching, but also
because she works extremely well with her colleagues and often shares her experiences and
expertise with them. Western Union Elementary Principal Kristi Williford described Amanda as the
epitome of a great teacher.
For winning the countywide Teacher of the Year title, Stinchcomb received $500. The Union County
Education Foundation also awarded her $1,000 for her personal use, and she received a one-year
lease of a 2017 car, courtesy of Union County KIA, a Keffer Automotive Company.

Principal of the Year

Piedmont High School Principal Dr. Jonathan Tyson was chosen as the 2016-17 UCPS Principal of the
Year.
Under Dr. Tyson’s leadership, the percentage of students taking AP exams increased and the
percentage of students passing those exams during the 2015-16 school year exceeded all other
schools in Union County. Piedmont High’s Class of 2016 brought in a record $27 million in
scholarships and the school earned a growth index of 10.86, the highest of any school in the county.
And, for the first time in Piedmont High’s history, it earned a school performance grade of A+ and
posted a record high for its cohort graduation rate, which exceeded 95 percent.
The Union County Education Foundation donated $1,000 to Piedmont High School in honor of Dr.
Tyson’s award.



CRoealldegineeassnd Career

UCPS offers a wide variety of college and career options to ensure that every student who graduates is
prepared to enter college or the workforce.

Every middle and high school student now has access to Naviance, a comprehensive college and career
readiness solution that helps students explore careers, create education plans and prepare for life after
high school. And, in a rare move for school districts across the state, UCPS will cover all costs for eighth
graders to take the PSAT 8, 10th and 11th graders to take the PSAT/NMSQT and 11th graders to take the
SAT. The tests will be administered during the school day.

To prepare students for the workforce, UCPS offers more than 20 career academy pathways, with
courses in programs that include aerospace, welding and engineering as well as culinary arts, pharmacy
tech and digital film editing and production.

Academic Signing Week

UCPS celebrated the academic achievements of its high school seniors by hosting the school district’s
inaugural Academic Signing Week.

A growing trend across the county, Academic Signing Days celebrate high school seniors who will
pursue post-secondary plans after receiving their diplomas.

The UCPS Academic Signing Week recognized not only the high school seniors who have plans to
attend community college, trade and vocational school, and two and four-year colleges but also
those students who have enlisted in the military, have internships or are prospective public service
employees. Parents, elected officials and community members were invited to the Academic Signing
Week events to help celebrate the students’ accomplishments.

#UCPSGrads

The UCPS Class of 2017, which had a graduation rate of 92.5 percent, earned a record $126 million in
scholarships, marking the seventh consecutive year the amount of scholarships offered to graduating
seniors has steadily increased. The graduating class also earned $12.4 million more than the previous
record-setting amount of $113.6 million earned by the Class of 2016.

Of the 2,975 graduates, 61 percent planned to attend a four-year college. An additional 27 percent said
they planned to attend a two-year college, 10 percent planned to enter the workforce and 3 percent
planned to enlist in the military.



Charting Our Course

UCPS Strategic Plan

The Board of Education approved Strategic Plan 2022, a framework that outlines UCPS’ long-term
outcomes, strategic themes, initiatives and action items. The strategic plan contains clear goals for
the school district and will ultimately guide all planning, decision-making and achievement efforts
for the next five years.
Strategic Plan 2022 includes two long-term outcomes: reducing gaps in student achievement and
ensuring all students are equipped to succeed in college, career and life. To reach those outcomes,
UCPS will focus on college and career readiness, academic programs, positive learning experiences,
parent and community engagement and developing UCPS employees.
The project began in February 2017 and included three phases—analysis, strategy development
and action planning. Throughout the planning, UCPS included input and feedback from input and
feedback from employees, students, parents and community members.

UCPS Bond

Union County voters approved $54 million for school bonds in a referendum that passed with 70.69
percent of votes.
The bond project list addresses facility needs at Western Union Elementary, Porter Ridge Middle,
Monroe High, Porter Ridge High, Sun Valley High and Piedmont High. The list also included a new
transportation facility.
The successful passage of the bond will help the school district address much-needed changes and:
• Prepare for growth
• Repair aging facilities
• Address much-needed renovations
• Address safety repairs
• Increase capacity at six schools that are near capacity
• Sustain growth through 2025-26
• Build a new transportation facility with adequate service and maintenance bays



What’s New

Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle

The Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle, which is the result of a partnership between
UCPS and Carolinas HealthCare System, offers challenging coursework to help prepare students for
college and careers in the medical field. Sixth-grade students participate in integrated neuroscience/
health science and medical Spanish courses, and all students have the opportunity to participate in
internships, externships and career-building activities related to the health care and medical field.

Naviance

All UCPS students as young as 11 years old will now have access to Naviance, a college and career
readiness software that will be provided at no cost to UCPS families. The software will ultimately help
students identify their strengths, explore career interests and create education plans for high school
and beyond.

Literacy4U

Read with U, a community-based reading initative that pairs elementary students with community
members, encourages volunteers to spend 30 minutes per week reading with a first-grade student.
The initiative is a part of Literacy4U, UCPS’ revamped literacy framework that addresses instructional
practices, access to literature and informational texts across all schools as well as training in word
study and phonics. A major part of the plan will increase classroom and school-level libraries to
provide equal access to literature and resources.

Dual Language Immersion Programs

Kindergarteners at Walter Bickett and East elementary schools now have the option to enroll in a
Spanish Language Immersion Program. The schools will implement a 50/50 immersion model, which
means instruction for kindergarten students will be given in English and Spanish each school day.

SCtaoynnected
www.ucps.k12.nc.us

400 North Church Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Phone 704.296.9898
Fax 704.282.2171

Layout and Design provided by: UCPS Communications Office

In compliance with federal law, UCPS administers all educational programs,
employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person
on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or marital

or parental status.