About Union Day School
UDS has earned a stellar reputation for its rigorous academics and close-knit community of families and accomplished educators. Students benefit from hands-on educational opportunities through the school's outstanding curriculum and emphasis on self-directed learning.
Students gain access to leading learning programs, including -
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The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme® (MYP)
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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP)
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Singapore Math®
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Handwriting Without Tears®
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Inquiry Based Science
Union Day School is the only charter school in the state and in the Charlotte area to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) to its students beginning in sixth through twelve.
Based in Weddington, NC, Union Day School serves families throughout the greater Charlotte Metroplex, primarily in communities in Union County and the southern portion of Mecklenburg County, such as Charlotte, Weddington, Matthews and Waxhaw. UDS began operating in the 2016-17 school year as a K-3 school, adding one grade annually.
Union Day School now serves students in grades K-12 in the 2025-26 school year and will award high school diplomas to its first graduating class in June 2026.
Since the charter school's inception, Union Day School has been consistently recognized for the quality of the education it provides and its nurturing, supportive learning environment. UDS has been recognized multiple times as Charlotte Magazine Best of the Best winner for Area Public/Charter School, as well as winning the Union County Macaroni Kid Award, and an award from the state for exceeding academic growth.
Awards & Recognition
Work With Us
At Union Day School, we believe education goes beyond the classroom—it’s about shaping character, sparking curiosity, and preparing students for a lifetime of learning. That’s why we’re looking for dedicated educators and staff who share our passion for excellence and innovation.
Join a passionate team at Union School where your career shapes futures and inspires young minds every day.
Our Mission
Union Day School’s community works together to provide students rigorous content and a rich curriculum that is parallel with the International Baccalaureate ideals of the learner profiles. We strive to build a nurturing environment where each student demonstrates a spirit of respect, responsibility, global mindedness and a commitment to academic and civic excellence.
Our Vision
Union Day School’s vision is to promote and foster thoughtful, caring, and creative students. They will be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Students will be confident, prepared for future success and achieve their academic and social potential as life-long learners in the 21st Century. Global mindedness: We emphasize an understanding of how the world is organized and interconnected and the possibilities and constraints facing its people. Globally literate students analyze and think critically about the world and their roles in it. They become fluent investigators of the world, celebrating our diversity as global citizens.
We recognize every child has a unique voice and a natural curiosity about the world that is just waiting to bloom. We are offering a nurturing and joyous environment designed to spark young minds, spur discovery, and foster engagement with new ideas and knowledge. Every day, we help children develop the critical foundational skills needed for a lifetime of learning. We believe in a collaborative, integrated curriculum that includes diverse perspectives that yield in-depth, creative thinking and better problem-solving skills.
Union Day School is dedicated to their mission of creating passionate learners today, and global leaders for tomorrow. The faculty and staff are purposeful in their interactions with students as they have created a nurturing and supportive environment where students can thrive in their love of learning and exploration.
UDS helps children develop the critical foundational skills needed for a lifetime of learning, including encouraging students to pursue their passions and apply what they know to solve meaningful problems.
Board of Directors
The primary purpose of the Board of Directors is to set policy, provide oversight, and approve and oversee the management of the school budget. UDS has a strong management team of administrators and personnel in place to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school. The BOD is responsible for setting vision, helping to achieve the annually-identified goals and for annual evaluation of the Executive Director.
Our board is made up of several sub-committees: Finance, Strategic Planning, Marketing, Fundraising, Curriculum, and Human Resources. Service on the board and committees requires a time commitment, as well as some prior knowledge and/or skill in the particular area.
Whereas all candidates will be given serious consideration, the board is especially interested in candidates within the human resources, legal, marketing or educational fields.
Jim Lovell
Chair & CEO of Lovell-Smit & Associates, PLLC
He has spent his entire career in public accounting working for international and large national accounting firms before founding his own firm. Jim has traveled extensively in the United States and internationally on business. Jim holds a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Accounting, is a licensed CPA, and is a member of the AICPA and NCACPA. In addition to his role at UDS he also sits on the UDS Foundation Board. In the past, he has served on various charitable boards including Gift of Adoption and the vestry of the Church of the Holy Comforter (Episcopal).
Joan Mazzu
Vice Chair
Ms. Mazzu is a founding Board member of Union Day School. She was the Founder and Owner of Informed Security Solution and the Founder and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Onsite Access. Mazzu has served as treasurer on numerous school boards. Mazzu received her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Maryland.
Celeste Slay
Secretary
Ms. Slay is a founding Board member of Union Day School. As a certified personal nutritionist, Slay also serves as the school’s catered lunch liaison. Slay earned a Bachelor of Arts in Retail and Consumer Science from Marshall University.
Boyce Thies
Board Member & President of Thies Realty & Mortgage Company
Mr. Thies has served two three year terms on the Alumni Governing Board of Charlotte Latin School; a three year term on the Board of the Young Affiliates of the Mint Museum; and, served as a Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of America. Thies earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of South Carolina.
Joanna Wise
Board Member Treasurer & Certified CPA
Mrs. Wise is a parent of two UDS students and is a certified CPA with her own business. Mrs. Wise has extensive experience in compliance and tax issues and has a Masters degree in Accounting. She brings her financial expertise, her knowledge of the school's mission and vision and her experience as a parent to the Board.
Kimberly Krakowski
Board Member & Assistant Vice President of Mobile Medicine at Atrium Health.
As a registered nurse for 30 years, she has spent her career focusing on leadership development, optimizing workflows and improving clinical outcomes. During her career she has been a nursing unit director, a Chief Nursing Information Officer and adjunct faculty at George Mason University. She is also a writer who has co-authored two books and published 2 research studies on the topic of Nursing Informatics. She loves learning, creating, reading and spending time with her two adult children. Kimberly received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Science in Nursing from George Mason University.
The Union Day School Board is accepting applications for new board members.
Faculty & Staff Directory
Employment
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Union Day Life
Union Day Life is your go-to resource for school-wide information that connects our entire community—from elementary through high school. Here, you’ll find important updates, key forms, event details, schedules, and programs that support learning, wellness, and community engagement for every Union Day student and family.
Stay organized and up to date with the Union Day School Calendar. Here you’ll find key dates, schedules, and upcoming events that apply to all students and families—helping you plan ahead and stay involved throughout the school year.
Need to register for sports, understand school guidelines, or reach a teacher? This is where you’ll find it all—athletic forms, policies, report cards, and staff directory—organized to support students and families across every grade level.
Title IX : Upholding Equity and Safety for All
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault and other sexual misconduct, is a form of sex discrimination.