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A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A+
  2. Diversity
    A-
  3. Teachers
    A
  4. College Prep
    A+
  5. Clubs & Activities
    C+
  6. Health & Safety
    B+
  7. Administration
    A
  8. Sports
    A-
  9. Food
    B-
  10. Resources & Facilities
    C-
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University High School is an elite, public school located in Irvine, CA. It has 2,617 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 28 to 1. According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 78% in reading.
Address
4771 Campus Dr.
Irvine, CA 92612
Telephone
(949) 936-7600
Website
iusd.org

University High School Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

Academics

Percent Proficient - Reading
78%
Percent Proficient - Math
73%
Average Graduation Rate
96%
Average SAT
1390
315 responses
Average ACT
31
270 responses
AP Enrollment
40%
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Living in the Area
A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Crime & Safety
    B
  2. Diversity
    A+
  3. Cost of Living
    D
  4. Good for Families
    A+
Area Feel
Suburban
Median Household Income
$93,823
National
$55,322
Median Rent
$1,997
National
$949
Median Home Value
$718,800
National
$184,700

Culture & Safety

Health & Safety
B+
Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
Poll
89%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school.38 responses
Poll
68%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.38 responses
Poll
What are your favorite school events or traditions?
Based on 125 responses
Report
  • Club Kick Off
    19%
  • Spirit Night!
    19%
  • Sporting events
    12%
  • Musicals
    11%
  • Office Hours
    11%
  • Spirit rallys
    10%
  • Plays
    10%

Students

Diversity
A-
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
2,617
Free or Reduced Lunch
17%
95%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.41 responses
83%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.41 responses
59%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.41 responses

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
National
17:1
Average Teacher Salary
$87,312
Teachers in First/Second Year
5.1%
71%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.55 responses
67%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.55 responses
64%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.55 responses

Clubs & Activities

Clubs & Activities
C+
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Average
Boys Athletic Participation
Average
Expenses Per Student
$10,512/ year
National
$12,239
83%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.60 responses
57%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.60 responses
78%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.60 responses
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University High School Reviews

421 reviews
All Categories
I loved going to University! I'm a senior, and today is my last day. I am eternally grateful for my 4 amazing, exciting high school years. Teachers and administration at UHS are truly amazing, supportive, and patient. I've never had a bad teacher here. Students are very nice...there is a wonderful sense of community. UHS's advanced courses and wide range of electives, as well as special education program prove that students learn at their own pace. In my classes, we did lots of hands-on, engaging learning. UHS has an AMAZING athletics program as well as fine arts. We also have an outstanding club called Best Buddies, where students who join are paired up with special needs students and hang out with them, and even go on field trips! I am very excited for the next 4 years I will be spending at Harvard in Massachusetts. There are so many fun events here, and most importantly, Trojan pride.
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It was alright at University High School. The teachers varied in quality and character, as did the students. It is a good environment in promoting academic effort and achievement, although sometimes a bit overboard in that aspect and it often can lead to over competitiveness among teenagers. There are lots of high-achieving students who achieve great things both inside and outside of the classroom. I didn't completely like the school because of the unusual workload and the entitled, snobby, privileged attitude shared by a majority of students here. However, students are often nicer and more well-behaved than average and it is nonetheless a great school. My high school experience soured over the years as I began to see the many flaws in our education system, in general, which isn't very fair to attribute as a fault of this school in particular.
Pros: UHS has been named over and over one of the "best" schools to go to in SoCal and nationally. Our clubs (MUN, FBLA, Speech & Debate, Mock Trial....) are nationally recognized. There are significantly less drugs, sex, inappropriate stuff here because the general stereotype of everyone is school-focused and hardworking. There are a lot of opportunities here. We got a good DHH program.

Cons: The pressure is real here. The atmosphere is very competitive. With the teachers, it's a 50-50 chance of getting a really good teacher or a really bad teacher. You're taking your chances if you go here. As for the people, there aren't really different sections. A lot of Asians. Make friends=make connections. Grades are important. People look down on you if you don't have good grades. Counselors kind of suck. Tacky overall