University High School: Academics

Approach

Approach to Classes

University High School has a thorough and rigorous college preparatory educational program. College prep classes are distinguished by the manner in which faculty deliver them. The classes build student academic skills, deliver factual content, and push students to grapple with the meaning of the subjects.

University High School bases the common curricular goals for every class on the school's core values. The school's curriculum is one of the major avenues for realizing these values and making them tangible.

#1: Every class builds students' academic skills.

This means that every class explicitly deals with academic skills such as note-taking; collecting, organizing, analyzing and presenting information; and class participation.

#2: Every class builds students' life skills.

Each class deals with personal traits that lead to success in class, such as perseverance, dependability and the ability to work with others.

#3: Every class is clear about the fundamental knowledge that students must learn and then pushes each student to reach an explanatory level in the class.

Each class offers a certain set of facts and a sphere of knowledge that students must master. Teachers at University go beyond that foundation, building on it so that students understand more than just facts; they grasp explanations. A student reaches excellence in academic subjects when he/she is able to effectively handle the factual, process-oriented elements of a subject as well as its meaning and purpose.

#4: Every class holds students accountable for their learning and pushes them to become active participants in their education.

Naturally, the faculty uses grades in every class to keep students accountable. Students also must evaluate their progress and account for themselves. Students are to continually work towards taking an ever-larger role in their education.

#5: Every class personalizes the education and differentiates for the skills of students.

Different assignments, grouping by ability and one-on-one instruction accomplish this.

#6: Every class uses a range of different instructional approaches to accommodate a variety of learning styles.

The instructional approaches range from one-on-one instruction to lectures, group work, independent projects and guided discovery.

#7: Teachers present the information in each class through multiple perspectives.

Teachers push students to understand subjects in multiple ways. For instance, in English classes, students read texts by a variety of authors and express understanding of the texts in speech and writing. In music classes, students play their instruments while also studying the theoretical structure of the music. In mathematics classes, students deal with mathematical ideas in symbolic, graphical and written forms. This goal values diversity and creativity of thought.


Approach
		CONTACT US \| STAFF DIRECTORY \| PRESS ROOM \| FAQ \| CALENDAR \| SITE MAP \| EDLINE Approach to Classes University High School has a thorough and rigorous college preparatory educational program. College prep classes are distinguished by the manner in which faculty deliver them. The classes build student academic skills, deliver factual content, and push students to grapple with the meaning of the subjects. University High School bases the common curricular goals for every class on the school's core values. The school's curriculum is one of the major avenues for realizing these values and making them tangible. #1: Every class builds students' academic skills. This means that every class explicitly deals with academic skills such as note-taking; collecting, organizing, analyzing and presenting information; and class participation. #2: Every class builds students' life skills. Each class deals with personal traits that lead to success in class, such as perseverance, dependability and the ability to work with others. #3: Every class is clear about the fundamental knowledge that students must learn and then pushes each student to reach an explanatory level in the class. Each class offers a certain set of facts and a sphere of knowledge that students must master. Teachers at University go beyond that foundation, building on it so that students understand more than just facts; they grasp explanations. A student reaches excellence in academic subjects when he/she is able to effectively handle the factual, process-oriented elements of a subject as well as its meaning and purpose. #4: Every class holds students accountable for their learning and pushes them to become active participants in their education. Naturally, the faculty uses grades in every class to keep students accountable. Students also must evaluate their progress and account for themselves. Students are to continually work towards taking an ever-larger role in their education. #5: Every class personalizes the education and differentiates for the skills of students. Different assignments, grouping by ability and one-on-one instruction accomplish this. #6: Every class uses a range of different instructional approaches to accommodate a variety of learning styles. The instructional approaches range from one-on-one instruction to lectures, group work, independent projects and guided discovery. #7: Teachers present the information in each class through multiple perspectives. Teachers push students to understand subjects in multiple ways. For instance, in English classes, students read texts by a variety of authors and express understanding of the texts in speech and writing. In music classes, students play their instruments while also studying the theoretical structure of the music. In mathematics classes, students deal with mathematical ideas in symbolic, graphical and written forms. This goal values diversity and creativity of thought.