University High School

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University High School

Public High School | Grade 9-12
4771 Campus Dr,  Irvine, CA
Irvine Unified School District
3.9
3.5
2,097 Students
A+
Niche Grade
Established in 1970, University High is an above-average public school in the Irvine Unified School District. Home of the Trojans, the school is located at 4771 Campus Drive in the city of Irvine. Serving ninth through twelfth grades with a student population of approximately 1,700, the school sits on an impressive 55 acres of land and boasts an expansive layout of six academic buildings, a performing arts theater, band room, swimming pool, eight tennis courts, an indoor gymnasium, sports stadium and several practice fields. The school features a solid curriculum focusing on English, math, science, industrial technology and physical education. University High offers more than 24 official athletic teams and is proud of its unique collaboration of attending students who reign from more than 70 countries and speak more than 52 languages combined. In addition, University High also sponsors an English proficiency program, a special education program and the Orange County Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. In 2011, University High School was rated the number one public school in California by Newsweek Magazine who also voted the school the 8th best public high school in America. 96% of University High School graduates go on to attend colleges and universities.

School Details

Head of School
Kevin Astor
Student Teacher Ratio
26:1
Average SAT Score
1400
Average ACT Score
31
Math Proficiency
63%
Reading Proficiency
63%
Average GPA
3.64
Graduation Rate
96%

Niche Grade

A+
Academics
A+
Teachers
A+
College Prep
B-
Administration
C
Resources/Facilities
B-
Clubs and Activities
B-
Sports
C+
Food
Source: Niche
Niche Grades

Niche grades and rankings are calculated using dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews. Niche data scientists and user researchers rigorously analyze data and user opinions to assess the key aspects of K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live. Every month, millions of students and families use the Niche grades and report cards to find the right school or neighborhood.

Niche Grade Details

Academics
Average GPA
3.64
Reading Proficiency
63%
Math Proficiency
63%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
26:1
Teachers
88
Full Time Teachers
88
Teachers in First or Second Year
10.9%
College Prep
Average SAT
1400
Math
710
Verbal
690
Average ACT
31
Math
30
English
31
Reading
31
Science
30
Number of AP Courses
24
AP Pass Rate
94.4%
AP Math Enrollment
Very High
AP Science Enrollment
Very High
Other AP Enrollment
Very High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Average
Boys Athletic Participation
Average

GreatSchools Rating

Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

GreatSchools Rating Details

Test Scores

Math
40.2%
State Average
19.4%
Science
26.2%
State Average
11.2%
GreatSchools Test Scores Rating
GreatSchools
The Test Score Rating reflects annual state test results for this school compared with scores statewide.

Teachers and Staff

Students Per Counselor
341:1

Student Diversity

Male
54.4%
Female
45.4%
Asian
41.9%
White
31.5%
Hispanic
12.2%
Two or more races
9.1%
Black
2.5%
Filipino
2.3%
Pacific Islander
<1%
Native American
<1%

School Rankings

#8 Best College Prep Public HS in California
#23 Best Public HS in California
#67 Best HS For Stem in California
Source: Niche

Specialty School Programs

AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program

Colleges Students are Considering

Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of California - Los Angeles 769 Students
University of California - Irvine 637 Students
University of California - Berkeley 603 Students
University of California - San Diego 594 Students
University of Southern California 473 Students
University of California - Santa Barbara 459 Students
University of California - Davis 368 Students
New York University 277 Students
Stanford University 259 Students
Cal Poly 257 Students

What Students Want to Study

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business 260 Students
Biology 260 Students
Psychology 193 Students
Computer Science 184 Students
Economics 103 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies 95 Students
Political Science and Government 89 Students
Engineering 76 Students
Chemistry 75 Students
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 73 Students

This School’s Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.9 425 Reviews
5.0 Junior
5/7/2026
Great academics and teachers that support the students. Sports are not the best but decent school spirit.
5.0 Freshman
12/18/2024
Uni's a school that puts a lot of importance on academics. Everyone's the best at what they do. Students who go to Uni are well-prepared for the future because they get exposed to a lot of different resources and opportunities. The teachers and staff there are always kind and ready to help you excel at anything you need help with.
4.0 Freshman
9/30/2024
Uni is a good school because of the environment it's in. It's right by UCI and most of the people who live in the city came here for the college. So naturally, they place a high value on education for their kids and that's why Uni's academics are so intense and well-sought out for. Academics are taken very seriously. I also love how diverse the school is. I can walk around, knowing I'll see someone like me at least once a day.
GreatSchools Reviews
3.5 20 Reviews
5.0 parent
12/17/2023
We had 2 children go to and excel at Uni in the ‘90’s.The first was The Valadictorian and was accepted to and went to Harvard. Our younger one went to and excelled at Cal/BerkeleyWe never had to worry about our kids and did not spend any $$$ on tutors.Thanks for the Great Education and most apprecia...
2.0 parent
3/15/2021
University H S came highly recommended, that's the reason we moved to Irvine and close enough for our kids to attend High School here.Very high demanding expectations from teachers, but if you want the best you expect the best and everything was fine, until covid happen. Last year they gave a pass t...
1.0 other
10/2/2019
Uni is not well rounded, stressing academics 100% and completely ignoring sports, arts, and social development. Many students are elitist snobs who bully underachievers. Students with learning differences get no services and are pressured to conform to the curriculum. As a former student I do not re...
3.0 parent
5/18/2018
Academics are highly pushed. Sports are pushed aside. (Unless it’s tennis, or golf). If you’re not already smart then you have to try harder. Great school but not a fair one.

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University High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Irvine, CA and is served by the Irvine Unified School District in California. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 2,097 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26:1. Academic records show that 63% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 63% are proficient in reading. University High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 9 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.64, the graduation rate is 96%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1400 and an ACT score of 31. The average home value in this area is $2,696,706. Discover additional schools in the area, like Tarbut V'torah Community Day Upper School, Fusion Academy Newport Beach, Pacific Academy - Irvine Campus, and more. Learn more about what Irvine has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near University High School.

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