University High School

I'm a current sophomore ant Uni. I moved here from a whole other county the second semester of freshman year. Although it is a hard school I think most students like myself use it to our advantage. Most students who aren't serious about education might whine and complain about how ignorant the teachers are but the teachers are amazing! We even have an hour every weds and thurs to go to each of our classes and seek individual help if needed. The kids are very motivated and the school spirit is high. I will never forget my days at Uni!
—Submitted by a student

Outstanding academics and extracurricular activities. Music and theatre programs are terrific. Highest number of National Merit Scholars (50+). So if you want your kid challenged in class, this is the school. Some sports teams that attract brainy kids (tennis, swimming, science bowl) are tops. Lots of dances and other social activities too. Football, basketball and other big time sports do just okay. Girls basketball and volleyball have won a few titles too. Many families move to this part of the District (as we did) to get their kid into Uni. Our eldest graduated with honors from UNI and is off to an elite college.
—Submitted by a parent

Alot of work and a lack of disrespect and arrogance from your teachers is all you will get at uni. If you are a student who is new to the irvine school district like i was, do yourself a favor and don't go..You have been warned by a student who has experienced this first hand
—Submitted by a student

I love Uni, its a very good school. It pushes the students to strive for the best. The school really does prepare students for college, graduating with APs would totally make you Harvard material. Although the school is great, I do believe that they care more about there reputation then the students well being, for example one of my classmates got a notice stating that if she didn't raise her grades they would send her to creekside (a school considered 'ghetto' in irvine), they don't try to fix the problem they actually attempt to get rid of it. And the lack of the principles involvement sets off the awesomeness of the school as well. I'm a sophomore and all of freshman year i had no clue who the principle was, not because I'm retarded he just wasn't involved!
—Submitted by a student

The School gets rave reviews cause the students are so good. But the faculty and administration are so geared for success that they seldom praise the students, always demanding more and never encouraging them to just learn for the sake of learning. Instead, the focus is on achieving and getting higher and higher scores.
—Submitted by a parent

Uni has so much to offer in a high school. Currently I'm taking many AP classes and am a part of a number of clubs and academic teams. This school has taught so many study skills and I enjoy the exposure to high level material. Sure, there are those teachers who aren't amazing, but there are also many who have had a profound impact on my education. As a junior, I am at the pinnacle of Uni's stressful academic workload. But I still love it because I know it will prepare me for my future.
—Submitted by a student

Even though I only attend first period at this school, I can feel the high expectations placed here. A's are something to be worked hard for and don't come even close to being as easily achieved as in any other school. It might be the strong level of teaching as the final always feels like nothing at the end of each semester.
—Submitted by a parent

As a Uni alumna, I am grateful for all the preparation Uni has offered me. Uni's environment may be competitive, but this competition motivated me to do my best and push myself academically. I couldn't have gotten this far and done so well as an undergraduate with the help of inspiring Uni staff and students.
—Submitted by a student

I completely disagree with the person below me. Uni is actually known t be a very diverse school with many races, although i agree that it can be a bit difficult, its for our own good. It helps prepare us for our futures and after a while you get the hang of it. Uni also has a great after school tutoring program. I love attending uni i love the teachers that motivate us to do better and i believe its a very great privilege to be a attending such a great school.
—Submitted by a student

Uni is a very straight forward school. although its a high-academic school I definitely do not recommended it for anyone outside the county. I just recently moved here and I think its really difficult to keep up with any of the teachers. The rank uni has a is very big joke. The school is very undeserrving and some students and staff can be very judgmental upon race.
—Submitted by a student

this school thoroughly equips you for college. There are those who complain and rate this school badly for being too tough. Uni simply does not inflate its grades and gives grades students deserve. I am a freshman in college and thanks to Uni i am doing awesome and i handle the work load increasingly well. Those who venture onto the grounds of Uni, get geared for an amazing four years.

This school is one of the top public schools in nation and best in the state! I am a Senior at University High School and graduating on Janurary 22nd, 2008. It has prepared me well for college and business-wold but sure am happy my time is up soon. My love is Basketball and had to quit because did not have time to play due to a rigorous academic-load. Overall study hard and best of luck to all who come through Uni's gates as students. Best of luck in your studies and future endeavors. Accomplish and live the dream
—Submitted by a student

they push us WAY too hard here....if you or your child attends this school and doesnt want to go to college, they're considered an outcast.....
—Submitted by a student

If your primary interest is to receive the best possible education and be extremely well prepared for college...this is the school for you. Athletic programs, while very good, will rarely be the very best as they believe that family comes 1st, school 2nd and athletics 3rd...the way it should be! My son currently attends, taking 4 AP classes and Spanish, while playing football and baseball. He has joined at least one on campus club and thus far is enjoying his experience. This is the perfect school for a well rounded experience with Education being the top school priority. We moved to this part of Irvine specifically for University High School.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is only for the high achievers. My son received all A's last year at another school and this year at UHS he is struggling with all C's. They teach at college level, not HS level.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is only good for those who have learned in the Irvine School District. If coming from another one, their is a great diffulculty in class. The teachers move at too fast a rate and students suffer studing day and night.
—Submitted by a student

Best school ever! Undefeated football team. Top physics and math teams. This school has the top teachers, academics, sports, clubs, and social atmosphere.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers - for the most part do a good job. Some do not do their job and receive lots of complaints, yet nothing is done about them. There is a need for more monetary support, however. The arts department suffers greatly, with little to no publicity of the marching band and the performing arts. This is very sad for a school of this caliber, when compared to NorthwoodHighSchool which manages to maintain a decent academic level and balance it with support of the performing arts. Academically, UniHigh is very challenging and competitive. Don't wuss out and be afraid. Take the challenge that this school has to offer. It will benefit you for sure! I am a sophomore in marching band wind ensemble, orchestra, and madrigals. I have enjoyed school so far with the performing arts and look forward to the remaining years here at University High School.
—Submitted by a student

This school is amazing! The academics are wonderful, and the teachers care about the students. The social aspect is awesome too! The school spirit is over the top this year and all of our sports teams, especially football seems to be doing well. Overall, it is a privelage to be able to call myself a Uni Trojan!
—Submitted by a student

I think that University High is a great school in terms of academics. However, I think it lacks the other parts of a high school. It needs a better music program like the one at Northwood high and a better art program like the one at Irvine High and even a better Athletics program like the one at Woodbridge High. Yes, I know that the Uni tennis Team won many times, but that is just one of the major sports.(I know they have won others.)Also, the teachers and students dont communicate as well to each other as they would do at other high schools. I woould not suggest going here unless you really only need academics and want a lot of compitition.
—Submitted by a student