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Special edition: A new look for Union County Public Schools

This special edition of our newsletter is all about celebrating a fresh look for Union County Public Schools (UCPS)! After 20 years, we’ve updated our visual identity and redesigned our website to better reflect who we are today—an innovative, student-focused district preparing every learner for graduation and beyond.

In this edition, you’ll find:

• Our modernized logo and new tagline
• Redesigned district website information and resources
• New district website (ucpsnc.org) and school web addresses

At the heart of the new design is a powerful symbol: the graduation cap, representing the ultimate achievement in K-12 education.

The new tagline is: Educate • Innovate • Graduate

• Educate — Deliver high-quality, personalized instruction that builds strong foundations, critical thinking, leadership and practical skills outlined in the Portrait of a Graduate.
• Innovate — Engage students through technology, creativity and real-world experiences while supporting staff growth and family engagement.
• Graduate — Ensure every learner has access to meaningful pathways leading to college, career, military service or technical training.

This refreshed identity represents more than a logo. It is a shared commitment among educators, staff, families and the community to prepare students for graduation.

“This refreshed visual identity represents more than a logo,” said Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan. “It honors our past achievements while building a future of innovation and collaboration.”

Programs and opportunities for every student

UCPS offers programs that meet nearly every interest, giving students a chance to explore passions and develop skills:

• 30 dual-language programs
• 24 academies
• 44+ Career and Technical Education pathways
• Specialty schools and academies, including:
• International Baccalaureate programs
• Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts
• Union County Early College
• Central Academy of Technology and Arts
• Health Sciences Academy
• Agrotechnology (AgTech) Academy
• Sustainable Energy Academy

Across the district, students grow as leaders and learners through academics, athletics, career-building experiences, and programs like Leader in Me (nine schools with Lighthouse status) and the Ron Clark Academy model (13 schools). Combined with dual enrollment, work-based learning, and industry credentials, these opportunities equip students with the skills and confidence needed to thrive after graduation.

A leader in education

• 90.7% End-of-Grade and End-of-Course proficiency (ranked first in NC)
• 93.2% graduation rate (highest among North Carolina’s 12 largest districts)
• 13,000+ Career and Technical Education credentials earned
• 80% AP exam pass rate with record-high participation
• 
  

The new logo and tagline reflect UCPS’s growth and our promise to students: to educate, innovate and graduate learners ready for whatever comes next.

Along with the new logo, UCPS has launched a redesigned, mobile-friendly website with a new home at ucpsnc.org. Employee email addresses will not change.

All UCPS school websites have also been updated with new web addresses. While old links will temporarily redirect to the latest sites, visitors are encouraged to update their bookmarks to ensure continued access to their school pages.

Schools’ web addresses:

• Antioch Elementary: https://aes.ucpsnc.org
• Benton Heights Elementary: https://bhesa.ucpsnc.org
• CATA: https://cata.ucpsnc.org
• Cuthbertson High: https://chs.ucpsnc.org
• Cuthbertson Middle: https://cms.ucpsnc.org
• East Elementary: https://ees.ucpsnc.org
• East Union Middle: https://eums.ucpsnc.org
• Fairview Elementary: https://fes.ucpsnc.org
• Forest Hills: https://fhhs.ucpsnc.org
• HSA at Monroe Middle: https://hsamm.ucpsnc.org
• Hemby Bridge Elementary: https://hbes.ucpsnc.org
• Indian Trail Elementary: https://ites.ucpsnc.org
• Kensington Elementary: https://kes.ucpsnc.org
• Marshville Elementary: https://mves.ucpsnc.org
• Marvin Elementary: https://mes.ucpsnc.org
• Marvin Ridge High: https://mrhs.ucpsnc.org
• Marvin Ridge Middle: https://mrms.ucpsnc.org
• Monroe High: https://mhs.ucpsnc.org
• New Salem Elementary: https://nses.ucpsnc.org
• New Town Elementary: https://ntes.ucpsnc.org
• Parkwood High: https://pwhs.ucpsnc.org
• Parkwood Middle: https://pwms.ucpsnc.org
• Piedmont High: https://phs.ucpsnc.org
• Piedmont Middle: https://pms.ucpsnc.org
• Poplin Elementary: https://ples.ucpsnc.org
• Porter Ridge Elementary: https://pres.ucpsnc.org
• Porter Ridge High: https://prhs.ucpsnc.org
• Porter Ridge Middle: https://prms.ucpsnc.org
• Prospect: https://pes.ucpsnc.org
• Rea View Elementary: https://rves.ucpsnc.org
• Rock Rest Elementary: https://rres.ucpsnc.org
• Rocky River Elementary: https://ryres.ucpsnc.org
• Sandy Ridge Elementary: https://sres.ucpsnc.org
• Sardis Elementary: https://ses.ucpsnc.org
• Shiloh Valley Elementary: https://sves.ucpsnc.org
• Shiloh Valley Primary: https://svps.ucpsnc.org
• South Providence School: https://sps.ucpsnc.org
• Stallings Elementary: https://stes.ucpsnc.org
• Sun Valley High: https://svhs.ucpsnc.org
• Sun Valley Middle: https://svms.ucpsnc.org
• UCEC: https://ucec.ucpsnc.org
• Union Elementary: https://ues.ucpsnc.org
• Unionville Elementary: https://uves.ucpsnc.org
• Walter Bickett Ed Center: https://wbec.ucpsnc.org
• Walter Bickett Elementary: https://wbes.ucpsnc.org
• Waxhaw Elementary: https://wxes.ucpsnc.org
• Weddington Elementary: https://wes.ucpsnc.org
• Weddington High: https://whs.ucpsnc.org
• Weddington Middle: https://wms.ucpsnc.org
• Wesley Chapel Elementary: https://wces.ucpsnc.org
• Western Union Elementary: https://wues.ucpsnc.org
• Wingate Elementary: https://wges.ucpsnc.org
• Wolfe: https://ws.ucpsnc.org

Redesigned with you in mind

Over the past year, UCPS conducted a comprehensive audit of its district and school websites, identifying outdated content, broken links and areas for improvement. The goal of the redesign was simple: place key information where it’s easiest to find for all users.

• For parents and families: The Students and Families section has been consolidated to include everything you need in one place—parent resources, transportation, student support, after school program, athletics and more. Plus, calendars now have their own button at the top right of every page for quick access.
• For the community: Information about volunteering, events, and district initiatives is highlighted in a dedicated section, so it’s simple to get involved.

The redesigned homepage continues to feature news, events and key calendar dates. Spotlight on U highlights a student, a teacher, and—new this year—a staff member. News sections on the homepage are Leader in Academics, which provides information on all grade levels, college readiness and career programs, now organized in sections with photos for easier navigation. Finally, By the Numbers shares notable district facts, giving a quick snapshot of UCPS achievements.

Finding your way around

Here’s a quick guide to where resources are located:

Top bar (very top of the page):

On the right-hand side in the black strip, you’ll see District and Schools.

• Click Schools to view the full list of schools and access their individual websites.
• Click District to return to the UCPS main page.

Quick access bar (to the right of the logo):

This white strip has shortcuts for Quick Links, MyUCPS, Departments, Calendars and Search.

Main menu:

You’ll see menu items like About Us, Academics, Schools, Students and Families, Community, Enroll and Careers.

• Hover over these headings to see drop-down menus with more details.

Featured buttons (right of the homepage photo with icons):

These are quick links to District Calendar, School Directory and Portrait of a Graduate.

The new ucpsnc.org makes it easier than ever for students, families, staff and the community to find the information they need, stay connected with district news and events, and explore the programs and resources UCPS offers. 

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