University High School

I just read two more reviews submitted by students regarding University High School. I hope the staff at University HS, and IUSD School District hears the "voices" of the students. The school is failing its students. Education is more than standardized tests scores. It's job is to teach students to learn, and to acquire knowledge and to build on each student's talents, and abilities. Academics are important, but more importantly is to build self esteem, and hope, and recognition that each student has a God given talent and a right to succeed. No two students are alike, they do no look act or think alike which is why many do not excell in this environment that expects them to learn alike. Remember the quote of Steve Jobs, "Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, that everything around you that you call life was made up by people NO SMARTER THAN YOU... the minute you understand that, you can poke life; you can change it, you can mold it, enbrace it, make your mark upon it. Once you learn that you will never be the same again.
--Submitted by a parent

This school never inspires students. It puts them down and doesn't care. There is never any positive reinforcement. They are arrogant because of their rating, which they don't deserve.
--Submitted by a student

University High School is not good at all. I feel so sorry for kids whose parents MOVE JUST FOR THEM TO ATTEND UNI. That honestly makes me so sick. Some parents just need to chill out and let their kids decide whether or not they want to have a life. And let me tell you, attending UNI means you will not have a life. The academics here are 10X harder than other schools... and for what reason? Why devote YOUR PRECIOUS TEENAGE LIFE to trying so hard at UNI when you can do well at any other high school and be fine? Most students here do not question these things... I just moved here to Irvine from Texas, and now after attending a semester here at UNI, I feel like my high school experience is being wasted on this dumb school. I put forth a considerable amount of effort for this school, yet no matter how hard I try, there will be those 300+ other students who have devoted their entire life to academics here and are instantly better than me. I'm so fed up with this place, I have decided to leave. I don't even care anymore... if you people think this is how school is supposed to be, I feel really sorry for you. Have fun, people of Irvine.
--Submitted by a student

IUSD has a serious problem with interpreting IDEA and ADA laws. This school is the crown jewel. I have followed several families with kids on the specail needs list. I have sat in meetings and read emails from staff. It is shameful and sad. Without a lawyer, bottle of strong asprin and inside knowledge your child does not have a sporting chance here or anywhere in IUSD. I was horrified to discover my Tustin home was in this district. My sincere sympathies to the unfortunate families that have to deal with Uni staff.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved to Irvine because of University High School. We are not Asian. Three of my five kids have graduated from there and all got into fantastic colleges (Ivy League, UC, other top 25 colleges). In high school they worked very hard and were surrounded by kids who challenged them to be their very best academically. After middle school some of their friends choose not to attend the school and went to Caucasian majority private schools or went to Woodbridge. College Counselors know the Uni rep. I have seen the reverse in terms of a so-called bias toward Asians, rather, numerous times over the years I have witnessed Uni teachers and counselors resist typical Asian parent behavior. My kids have various academic abilities, and at least three have learning disorders of various degrees, but they all have done very well at the school, due in part to the culture of academic excellence and the expectation of their parents that they compete to the very best of their ability.
--Submitted by a parent

University High School is definitely a polar figure. Either you love it, or hate it. I personally could not imagine being any place else. To start off, the courses at this school will be some of the most difficult classes that you will take. Not because of the teachers, because most of them really are great, but because of the work load that will keep you up all night. But the knowledge that you will gain is so rewarding, and there is SO much of it. The only thing that I would change is the difficulty to change from a CP class to an honors. Although I had THE highest grade in my CP English class, I was refused ability to go into honors next year, because my grade was 2% off the cutoff point. How ridiculous is that? Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have said ONLY earlier. I also highly dislike the sense of competition. At UNI, a mediocre GPA is 3.7. MEDIOCRE. This causes SO MANY students to enroll in AP classes that he or she may not even enjoy, just for a GPA boost. AP classes should be to learn more about a subject that you love, not just a college app filler. Well, that's my input. I honestly DO love UNI wholeheartedly. The people you meet are friends for life. Go Trojans!
--Submitted by a student

THIS SCHOOL IS TERRIBLE. NOT BALANCED ONLY CARE ABOUT ONE THING ACADEMICS. ACADEMICS IS IMPORTANT BUT WELLBEING/ GOOD HEALTH/ EXCERCISE IS A PART OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIVE STYLE LEADING TO LONG, HAPPY ENJOYABLE LIFE. HIGH SCHOOL SHOULD BE A FUN TIME! YOU ARE ONLY YOUNG ONCE. I HAVE NEVER FELT SO DEPRESSED, OUT OF SHAPE, ANGRY IN MY LIFE. UNI WAS A COMPLETE OF 4 YEARS. I JUST DID IT BECAUSE MY DAD MADE ME. MATER DEI AND CDM ARE THE BEST AT OFFERING WHOLE PICTURE AND ARE WELL BALANCED BETWEEN THE TWO.

Ok so I have a 4.1 GPA at Uni and I'm still considered stupid. There's just an incredible amount of pressure and most of the students there are extremely nasty and snobbish. Also, the school is over 50% Asian, and they dominate the school completely, being obviously preferred by the faculty and other students. If you want to have any fun at all in high school and still get into a top college, your best bet is going to Woodbridge.
--Submitted by a student

Great School. It is a bit tough but the only reason I dont recive straight A's is because i truly dont try. But their Girl Swim Team Just Won DI CIF! Go UNI GIRLS SWIM!
--Submitted by a student

Uni is amazing. I've gone to Uni for my entire high school career, and its been the best four years of my life. I mean, sure the classes are hard, and yeah I've had a couple all-nighters, but it was all worth it in the end. The teachers are really great, and all they want is to help you learn and grow.The people there are great, and the friends that I've made always had my back, whether I was stressing over finals, homecoming, or an upcoming orchestra concert. University High School is amazing, and I consider myself lucky to have been able to attend such a wonderful school.
--Submitted by a student