Western Union Elementary School

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

WUES staff met today to celebrate the improvement in our School Performance Data/Score. This accomplishment reflects the hard work of our students , the dedication of our staff, and the support of our WUES community. We showed up, we worked hard , we believed, and growth happened. We’re proud of this moment and excited to keep pushing toward academic excellence as there’s more important work to do! Union County Public Schools

09/03/2026

Calendar Reminder: will be closed Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day.

09/02/2026

We can't wait to see your college colors this Friday. Will you be wearing UNC blue for Team Marshall or Duke blue for Team Lewis? Or do you have a favorite college to represent?

09/01/2026

Parents, students, staff and community members are encouraged to use the Tip Line. Use the dropdown box to share feedback, report a safety risk or send kudos or encouraging messages for staff at your school: https://www.ucpsnc.org/community/tip-line-say-something

08/30/2026

It’s time to show off those Eagles colors! Our WUES Spirit Wear Shop is officially OPEN and there are lots of options to choose from, including multiple colors and adult and youth sizes.

The shop is open NOW through Thursday, September 10, so make sure you get your order in before it closes!

🔗 https://shop.sportstoyou.com/western_union_elementary_pto/shop/products/all

08/29/2026

30 YEARS OF EDUCATING GENERATIONS AT WESTERN UNION SCHOOL

For decades, generations of Black students in western Union County knew the name Ralph Fleming Bolden.

Born in 1915, Ralph devoted much of his life to education.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Johnson C. Smith University, he continued his studies at New York University and later at UNC Charlotte.

That education eventually brought him to one of the most important schools in the history of the Waxhaws area — Western Union School.

Ralph served there as an educator and principal and retired after an incredible 30 years of service.

During much of his career, Western Union was the school that served African American children from communities across western Union County during the era of segregation.

That meant Ralph Bolden’s work was about much more than running a school.

For generations of students, Western Union was where they learned, made friends, discovered their abilities, and prepared for lives beyond the classroom — and Ralph Bolden helped guide that school through an important period in local history.

Even after his career in education, his service to others continued.

Ralph became deeply involved in civic life throughout Union County. He served as chairman of Union County Community Action, worked with the United Way, served on the NAACP Board of Directors, was vice chairman of the Union County Youth Service Task Force, and served as treasurer of the Union County Black Leadership Caucus.

He was also a devoted member of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church for more than 70 years, serving as chairman of its trustee committee.

Ralph Fleming Bolden passed away in 2013 at the remarkable age of 98.

His story is a reminder that some of the people who had the greatest impact never became household names.

They stood at the front of classrooms. They guided young people. They opened doors. And they quietly spent a lifetime strengthening their community.

For 30 years, Ralph Bolden helped educate generations at Western Union School and his service to Union County continued long after the final school bell rang.