Core Values at University
CORE VALUES ARE, QUITE LITERALLY, AT THE CORE OF UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL. Whether it’s a student-led community meeting on the topic of mutual respect, support, and trust or a Community Day spent packing meals for Kids Against Hunger to emphasize stewardship, the core values of University High School are as much a part of the student experience as are math, science, and English.
The six core values of University High School are diversity, commitment to excellence, commitment to personal responsibility, creativity, stewardship, and mutual respect, support, and trust.
Here Are Just a Few Examples of the Core Values in Action:
DIVERSITY
Students and staff take time to learn about each other, and some of our community meetings are dedicated to exploring the different cultures and religions that make up our school. A group of international students from China, for example, taught the school about the history and significance of Chinese New Year.
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Exemplary student work is celebrated almost daily at community meeting. Whether it’s someone being named a National Merit Scholar or an athlete signing a National Letter of Intent, we celebrate students and their achievements together.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Students have real responsibility for the well-being of their school, and in turn, the school values student voice. There are student respresentatives on every hiring committee at University.
CREATIVITY
Student artwork lines the hallways and fills the lobby at University. And it’s not just taped to the walls. All student artwork is matted and framed, giving the work prestige and making the school feel like an art gallery.
STEWARDSHIP
Service is a key focus of the school. During one recent Community Day, students spent the day in Year of Service groups, volunteering with local nonprofits and doing good work throughout Central Indiana.
MUTUAL RESPECT, SUPPORT & TRUST
Not a day goes by without a student doing something nice for a peer. One student dedicated her entire year to holding the door for her peers as they left community meeting. She never missed a day, and when it was cold, she brought a blanket.