University High School, Irvine: A Comprehensive Overview

University High School (UHS), often called "Uni," stands as one of the six public high schools in Irvine, California, serving students in grades 9-12. Since its establishment in September 1970, the school has been committed to fostering excellence, social responsibility, high achievement, and rigorous academic programs. Located at 4771 Campus Drive, adjacent to the University of California, Irvine (UCI), the school benefits from the city's strong emphasis on education.

General Information

University High School is part of the Irvine Unified School District in California. The school's CEEB code is 051984, and the main phone number is 949-936-7600. The fax number is 949-936-7609, and the absence line can be reached at 949-936-7601. The front office is open Mondays from 7:45 am to 4:15 pm.

Rankings and Recognition

University High School is highly regarded and frequently recognized by national publications as an outstanding college preparatory high school.

National Rankings: University High School (Irvine) is ranked #416 in the National Rankings.
California High Schools: #53 in California High Schools.
Metro Area: #19 in Los Angeles, CA Metro Area High Schools.
District Ranking: #1 in Irvine Unified School District High Schools.
STEM Focus: #42 in STEM High Schools.
Newsweek Magazine rated University High School the number one public school in California and the 8th best public high school in America in 2011.

Campus and Facilities

The school campus spans 55 acres and includes six main academic buildings, a performing arts theater, a band room, a swimming pool, eight tennis courts, an indoor gymnasium, a sports stadium, and several practice fields. These facilities support a wide range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities.

Academics

University High School offers a solid curriculum focusing on various subjects, including English, math, science, industrial technology, and physical education.

Student Performance:
- 70% of students took at least one AP® Exam.
- 66% passed at least one AP® Exam.
- Mathematics Proficiency: 73%.
College Readiness: The district average for college readiness is 43.0.
Proficiency (District Average):
- Reading: 78%.
- Mathematics: 64%.
- Science: 61%.
Standardized Test Scores: The average SAT score is 1400, and the average ACT score is 31.
Graduation Rate: The graduation rate is 96%, which is somewhat above the state median.
AP® Exams:
- 70% of the 12th-grade class took an AP® exam.
- 66% of the 12th-grade class scored 3+ on an AP® exam.
- 93% of exam takers in the 12th-grade class scored 3+ on an exam.
Subject Proficiency Comparison: Data are based on the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 academic years.
Underserved Student Performance:
- Percentage of Underserved Students Who Are Proficient: 50.2%.
- Percentage of Non-Underserved Students Who Are Proficient: 75.7%.
- Gap Between School and State Among Underserved Students: 23.3%.

Student Body

University High School has a diverse student body of approximately 1,700 students in grades 9-12. The school prides itself on its unique collaboration of students from more than 70 countries who speak more than 52 languages. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27:1. Academic records indicate that 70% of students are proficient in math, and 75% are proficient in reading.

Extracurricular Activities

University High School is known for its various academic teams and extracurricular activities.

Academic Teams: University High School is often noted for its various academic teams, including Physics Bowl, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Academic Decathlon, Model United Nations, International Space Settlement Design Competition, Speech and Debate, and math competitions (including ARML and Math Day at the Beach).
Junior Classical League: University High School is also home to the largest and one of the most distinguished Junior Classical Leagues in the nation and a noteworthy chapter of the Junior State of America.
International Space Settlement Design Competition: Furthermore, University High has sent a team to the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC) for five consecutive years and has won the national competition in several divisions of the National History Day contest.
Mock Trial: University is also home to one of the most successful Mock Trial programs in Orange County, having won three of the last five county championships.
Science Olympiads: University High School also has numerous students named semi-finalists for the United States Physics, Math, Biology, and Chemistry Olympiads.
Science Bowl: The school's Science Bowl team also advanced to the national competition in 2013, 2014, 2018 through 2021, and 2023, placing 4th nationally in 2013 and 2nd in 2023.
Intel Science Talent Search: University has also had Intel Science Talent Search finalists and semi-finalists, Siemens Competition semi-finalists, and categorical winners at ISEF.
Irvine CubeSat Stem Program: University High has also had many students participate in the Irvine CubeSat Stem Program, as part of the NASA ELaNa program where they were able to contribute to building and launching multiple nanosatellites.
Rocketry Club: Students who were similarly interested in aerospace engineering also participated in University High's Rocketry Club.
Marching Band and Color Guard: The school's marching band and color guard currently compete in the 5A division with over 140 members. In addition to the marching band, University High offers students many other opportunities in instrumental and choral music, including three concert bands, four orchestras, three jazz bands, choirs, and an a-cappella group.
Athletics: University High School offers more than 24 official athletics teams with numerous niche sports offered through school clubs. The University High School tennis teams have been especially prominent on campus, with the boys' junior varsity team going undefeated in 191 consecutive matches over multiple seasons. In addition, the boys' varsity team won the CIF championship five years in a row (from 2010 to 2014) and had a record of 137 wins and one loss in those five years. Numerous varsity team members are nationally ranked and are often recruited to top Division I NCAA programs.

Special Programs

University High School sponsors several special programs to support diverse student needs.

English Proficiency Program: This program supports students who are learning English.
Special Education Program: This program provides resources and support for students with special needs.
Orange County Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program: In collaboration with Venado Middle School, University High School hosts the Regional Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program for the Orange County Department of Education. This program serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students from all of Orange County and some students from nearby counties. The program’s students fully participate in the school’s academic, athletic, and activities programs.

College Preparation and Outcomes

University High School places a strong emphasis on college preparation. 96% of the Class of 2013 UHS graduates entered post-secondary institutions, of which 63% entered four-year universities and colleges. The school's academic environment and rigorous programs are designed to prepare students for success in higher education. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Community and Environment

University High School benefits from its location in Irvine, a city that places a high value on education. The school's proximity to UCI creates a unique environment where academics are taken very seriously. The school's diverse student body also contributes to a rich and inclusive community. Some reviews mention a lack of focus on sports, arts, and social development, with academics being heavily emphasized. However, the school's strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and vibrant student life provide a supportive environment for students to pursue intellectual and personal growth.

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Additional Information

School Profile Information: School profile information is based on government data.
District Information: This information relates to high schools run by this school's state operating agency. Many districts contain only one high school.
Homes in the Area: The average home value in this area is $2,772,825.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

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