University City High School

UC High was and still after more than 20 years a great school. If this is real and I am very sure, this is a result of real public investment in education. We must focus on these facts. 20 years ago UC High was a great school, and now still a great school. Whatever people say it will not change my idea of good public investment in education, dedication and commitment of the people who work to keep this great school.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers look just nice but they are not very supportive and caring. I was very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am grateful for the education that l received at UC, it really helped to make into a successful adult.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter transitioned into this school the latter part of last year. She has found the school culturally challenged. To say it clearer, diversity is not embraced by the staff or the students. For this reason, my child who is in the GATE/SEMINAR program at UCHS does not feel her experience is the best. As a parent, I can say that I agree with her because my experience has been quite questionable. If you are minority seeking a great school for your son or daughter, you might want to think twice before you enroll your child at this school. FYI, the best teacher ranks okay and the worst is clearly one who does not offer encouragement to the student. In summary, we as her parents have come to realize that this is not the best place for our child to be.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 10th grade. For the first time in many years he is experiencing success as he deals with issues of being a Seminar student lacking motivation to succeed. He had the chance to switch schools early last year but decided that this school was providing for him with what he needed to succeed. I agree! Teachers understand his needs and work to support him, not to demean him. They work with his strengths not against them. My son thrives because of their support.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for her freshmen and sophmore year. It was a good social environment but the teachers were not involved enough and the students all came from drug backrounds. It wasnt a good place to put my child in.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in seminar. He chose this school. The teachers are wonderful and the staffs are very helpful. This school has a wide variety of people and he likes the diversity. He's also enjoying his sports program. I'm very happy with his decision.
—Submitted by a parent

Great Teachers, great Principle, great location, and most of all, great students!

This is my kids first year attending this school as a junior. My kid loves the classes and teachers. It is refreshing to see teachers that are passionate about there subjects. My kid has made friends with kids that are black, Asian, Hispanic and white. I feel that the diversity of the school reflects our society. I feel that schools should reflect the society, not the neighborhood, because that is what we will educate them for, the real world and it is not all middle class & white.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school my son is attending and he says its wonderful it just needs a little more extra eativitie and its almost perfect.
—Submitted by a parent

My little Elizabeth is in her second year here and i am glad i got her in to this school because of the core classes she is signing up for the cheer team this year and she loves it. I think they should have a bigger variety of fun classes because they need stuff like that to make school fun. I have seen the campus and i think they need new grass for the fields but that can be taken care of.
—Submitted by a parent

UC is located in a good middle to upper middle class neighborhood but has a surprising amount of crimes commited on campus. My child often feels unsafe at UC. This school offers a great AP program and has one of the best track and field teams in the county, however the athletic field is in the worst condition of any of the 15 campuses I've visited. The school needs a new track field, pole vault pit, fields re-sodded and lighting installed for night football games.
—Submitted by a parent

I enjoyed the rigorous academics, but was disappointed to not have to opportunity to be in choir. There is no choir, and little few band, music, and drama activity. Emphasis put on AP and honors classes rather than extra curriculars and lower level classes. definitely not a well rounded education.

I have had a student at this school for the last 7 years. The quality of the academic and extracurricular programs at UC have suffered because of a failed district discipline policy that allows students to commit criminal offenses up to three times before that student can be suspended more than five days or recommended for expulsion. How long are parents going to be content with standards that deal in shades of mediocrity? When discipline returns to the campus, education can start. Until then, all of the well intentioned efforts of the administration and staff amount to little more than a district-wide experiment in babysitting. Don't misunderstand: The teachers are making a valiant effort, but they should not have to babysit and teach.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall UC is a great school. However, like all good things, there is a bad. As a student I have encountered both good and poor teachers. The Principle is one of the greatest I've met. He interacts with students and does his job very well. He is even considered 'cool' by many students. Basically, like all schools, if the student is willing to learn, the classes are wonderful. UC is fun for the students as well as being a great learning facility.
—Submitted by Stephen, a student

My son is a 9th grader at UC. He informs me that the often the classes are unruly and it makes it difficult to hear/learn. He has also had a few problems with theft. On the other hand the teachers and counselors have been responsive to requests and are good at communication.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm rating these based on a student in the lower track. Scores are higher for my children on the more advanced track. Teachers were not in place until the end of October/beginning of November. Many of the teachers were new and lacked experience. Shouldn't struggling students have the most experienced teachers?
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a senior this year and has enjoyed her high school years in terms of the academics. She had a lot of choices with AP classes. Most of the teachers are very supportive and set good role models. There is an active educational foundation in which the parents and community are involved with the school. The athletics leave a lot to be desired in the way of integrity of the selection process.
—Submitted by a parent

It is an ok school. The teacher/student ratio is not bad. Students are not split or showing up in groups. The sport utilities are pretty good as well. The quality of the provided academic programs is mediacer though.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed in UC. I pulled my daughter out in 12/04 in the middle of her sophomore year. No discipline, dress codes not enforced, inappropriate music at lunchtime, too liberal.
—Submitted by D.S., a parent