University Academy-Upper

The high school is pretty impressive. High standards prevail. There is an atmosphere of strict discipline in the successful classrooms. The school is racially imbalanced. Neither the building nor the teachers are warm, but they do offer a challenging academic environment that can benefit the students greatly. Supposedly the school has a huge waiting list. There is an undertow of behavior problems that must constantly be contained, avoided, proactively dealt with, etc. The high school is much better than the elementary and middle school as far as behavior problems go. By high school, most students have probably internalized the take-no-prisoners ethos that the school has adopted.

UA Is a great school as far as safety and the look of the outside and inside of the school. As a College Prep I would like for the High School students to have more opportunities and programs such as the A+plus program. They have a turnover of high school teachers. Summer school isn't offered for those kids who may have struggled in a core class during the year. If your child has a D or F in a class they are NOT able to attend any school functions such as PROM, homecoming dances, etc. They can NOT attend a college tour which as a College Prep school if a child is struggling in 1-2 classes but workign hard and has a strong desire to attend college why keep them from visiting it. Again, it's one of the saest schools in the inner city and looks really neat. The most caring staff is Elem. and Middle school. They actually CARE about th estudents rather than kick them when their down. Pretty outside but the heart of the school isn't right!
—Submitted by a parent

Administration constantly struggles to maintain control of the students and teachers are frustrated about the behavior issues in the class rooms. A portion of the classes offered at University Academy aren't required by state regulations which consequently, takes the place of state regulated classes. There are too many disruptions in the class room setting and lack of respect for teachers.
—Submitted by a former student