Over the past 25 years, prospective parents have questioned if going to a high school grounded in mutual respect, support and trust prepares students for the “real world” of college life and adulthood. What our founders knew from day one is that learning in a community where everyone is on your side and where you can be your authentic self allows you to learn and grow as a student and human being.
So, how do we foster mutual respect, support, and trust on a practical level?
- There is no ringing bell to tell you when class begins and ends at University. Students and teachers rely on their watches and clocks to arrive at class on time – just like they’ll do in college and in the workplace.
- Our trusting and caring community does not need locks on students’ lockers to ensure the security of their belongings. We trust students to not touch items that aren’t theirs, and they earn that trust each and every day.
- All students have the opportunity to make an announcement at community meeting. Students respect their community and are free to encourage attendance at a club meeting, congratulate classmates on a victory, or voice a recent concern. Students use their voice to share what is on their minds with their fellow students, teachers, staff, and administration.
- Students who are new to a sport, to theatre, to academic team, to robotics are not only encouraged but are heartily welcomed to the team or group. At University you can play in your hundredth game of basketball or your first.
In our 26 years, University High School has graduated over 1,200 students who are fully prepared for life at large public universities as well as smaller, liberal arts colleges. Our graduates go on to become teachers, college professors, computer analysts, visual artists, entrepreneurs, medical doctors, business owners, Broadway performers, writers, scientists, linguists, lawyers, designers, HR professionals, restauranters, and the list goes on. Almost universally, our alumni tell us that because they had the respect, support, and trust of their teachers and peers in high school, they entered the world confidently knowing who they are and what really matters to them. They were ready for the “real world” and had the tools to make it ever better.