UNION HIGH

Union High School, located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, serves as a central educational institution within the Wise County Public Schools system. The school was established in 2011 following the consolidation of three smaller regional high schools—Powell Valley, Appalachia, and Rye Cove—as part of a district-wide effort to pool resources and provide a more comprehensive academic and extracurricular environment for students in the area. The facility is situated on a spacious campus and serves students in grades 9 through 12, acting as a focal point for the Big Stone Gap community.

Academically, Union High offers a traditional high school curriculum complemented by various elective paths, including career and technical education (CTE) programs designed to prepare students for the workforce or post-secondary studies. The school maintains a strong emphasis on community pride and school spirit, famously known for its "Union Bears" athletics programs, which frequently compete at the regional and state levels. By blending the heritage of its predecessor schools with modern educational resources, Union High School remains committed to fostering student achievement and preparing its graduates for future success in Southwest Virginia and beyond.