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University High School (Irvine, California)

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University High School
Location
Map
Irvine
,
California

USA
Information
TypePublic secondary
MottoUnity through Diversity
Established1971
PrincipalJohn Pehrson
Grades9–12
Enrollmentabout 2,200
MascotTrojan
NewspaperThe Sword and Shield
Websiteiusd.org/uhs

University High School (UHS or "Uni") is one of four public high schools serving grades 9-12 located in the city of Irvine, California. It was established in 1971. The campus is situated on approximately 50 acres (200,000 m²) of land in the southwestern portion of the city, adjacent to the University of California, Irvine (UCI), from which the high school derives its name. The school comprises four main academic buildings, a performing arts theater, a band room for instrumental music, a swimming pool, eight tennis courts, two sand volleyball courts, an indoor gymnasium supplemented with other indoor athletic facilities, a 400-m outdoor track, and several practice fields. When opened, the architecture of UHS was virtually identical to that of Mission Viejo High School 12.5 miles (20 kM) to the southeast. Housed within these facilities are the departments of English, world languages, math, science, social science, instrumental music, art, industrial technology, athletics, physical education, English proficiency programs, special education, and the Orange County Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. The school's mission is "to provide all students with the opportunities and environment to achieve academic and personal excellence while assuring that this is done in a safe and comfortable atmosphere." The school colors are Navy blue, Columbia blue, silver and white. The school mascot is the Trojan.

Bell Schedule

The school operates on both a traditional and block bell schedule. On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, students attend all of their classes (1-6) from 7:30-2:38. On Wednesdays, students attend their odd numbered classes (1,3,5) on Wednesdays (7:30-2:00) while they attend their even numbered classes (2,4,6) on Thursdays (8:35-2:58). Both Wednesday and Thursday's schedule consists of a 45 minute "office hours" in which a student attends in a teachers classroom. Students may use the time to do homework, meet with teachers, or make-up tests. The bell schedules can vary due to the activities that go on during that week.

Academics

On November 29, 2007 University High School ranked 76th Best High School in the country.[1] Being in the top 100, University High School is considered a "Gold Medal School". Currently, as of University High School is ranked 76 out of over 18,000 public schools that were ranked.

In May 1987, University High School was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an exemplary school in the Secondary School Recognition Program. In 1988 and 1992, Uni was similarly recognized as a California State Distinguished School. University was accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for six years in 2004.

The school has consistently made Newsweek's list of Top High Schools.[2] In 2005, the school ranked 117th out of the top 1000 high schools.[3] In Newsweek's 2006 list, the school ranks 156th out of 1,200 top high schools,[4] and in 2007, Uni was ranked 186th.[5]

Academic Teams

University High school is often noted for its various academic teams, including Physics Bowl, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Model United Nations, and math competitions (including ARML, and Math Day at the Beach). University High School also has one of the largest and most distinguished Junior Classical Leagues in the state, including a perennially strong Certamen team. [citation needed]

Performing Arts

University High School offers a wide variety of performing arts to its students. Three levels of dance are offered. Choir, Ceramics, Photography, Art, and Film Production are also available to students. Music classes include Guitar, Keyboarding, and AP Music Theory.

Marching Band and Colorguard

Uni is famous for its award-winning marching band and colorguard program. The University HS Trojan Marching Band is directed by Brandon Johnson and Darren Loney. The drumline is coached by Vince Terusa and the front ensemble is coached by Marie Sato. The colorguard is directed by Kim Jarvis. The UHS Marching Band is the only marching band in the IUSD that practices after school-all others practice before school. The marching band is an equavilant to a varsity sport at Uni.

Currently ranked in the 4A division with over 120 members, the University HS Trojan Marching Band received a first place in the 2006 Loara HS Field Show Competition for its show "Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba." On November 3, 2007, the band and colorguard received a first place award out of four bands and also received a "High Music" award at the Huntington Beach HS Competition. The drumline received a "High Percussion" award, a prestigious honor for the Uni Drumline to receive.

The mighty University HS Trojan Marching Band and Colorguard performing their award-winning 2007 competitive field show.

Past Marching Band Shows:

2007 - "Vesuvius: The Destruction of Pompeii" by Frank Ticheli

2006 - Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba

2005 - Highlights from Chicago

Concert Wind Bands and Orchestras

University High School has three concert wind bands: Concert Band (Beginning), Symphonic Band (Intermediate), and Wind Ensemble (Elite). The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble are audition-only classes. Entry into the Wind Ensemble is highly competitive as there are many talented auditionees, but there are only few spots open. Many dedicated students in the Wind Ensemble are accepted into local/state, and sometimes even national Honor Orchestras/Wind Ensembles. With Gayle Bentley as the new instrumental director in 2003, the UHS Wind Ensemble started receiving "Unanimous Superior" scores on their Southern California Schools Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) festival performance ratings for every single performance up to 2007. The concert bands are now directed by Corey Heddon (graduate of Long Beach State). The percussion ensembles for each wind band is directed by Marie Sato.

The UHS orchestra is the largest public high school symphony orchestra in Orange County, California and, like the Wind Ensemble, annually sends scores of students to All-Southern, All-State, and All National Honor Orchestras.[citation needed] There are three orchestras: String Orchestra (Beginning), Concert Orchestra (Beginning/Intermediate), and Symphony Orchestra (Advanced). Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra require an audition. The Symphony Orchestra is augmented by the best wind players and percussionists from the Wind Ensemble. The Symphony Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall in 2002 with then instrumental music director, Peter Fournier. (He also retired the same academic year.) The orchestras are currently directed by Brandon Johnson.

Jazz Ensemble

The Uni Jazz Ensemble is directed by Brandon Johnson, and begins directly after marching band ends. The ensemble consists of saxophones, brass, bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, percussion, and a drumset. Auditions are in November, and are open to anyone who plays these instruments.

Theatre

University High's Theatre

University High School is also known throughout Southern California for its quality theater productions.[citation needed] Formerly led by Daniel R. Trevino, who retired after the 2007 school year, University High is particularly known for the mounting of its full-scale annual spring musicals. The theater department is currently led by Darryl B. Hovis, Co-Founder of the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts in Culver City. The University High School Theatrical Department is currently producing Antigone Resurrected, released on November 13. UHS has even produced several regional premieres of new works. These Southern California premieres include Side Show (2002) and Bat Boy the Musical (2003). Past award-winning productions include Miss Saigon (2006), which featured a helicopter descending on stage as well as a Cadillac car. Les Miserables (2003) featured a mechanical turntable (speculated cost of $13,000) and an intricate war barricade. Singin' in the Rain (2001) featured an elaborate raining set. In 2006, the production of Urinetown, won many awards at the Fullerton College Theatre Festival. In 1985, Elizabeth Swados powerful musical "Runaways" was staged, winning 8 M.A.C.Y. awards, including best ensemble. 1985 was the first year University High School was invited to attend the International Thespian Festival, featuring 12 of the best high school musical productions in the Nation. The cast and crew of "Runaways" were honored by the City of Irvine for their Outstanding Achievement in the Arts upon their return.

Current Productions:

  • Fall 2007- Resurrecting Antigone

Previous seasons:

  • 2007- High School Musical, iMusical
  • 2006- Miss Saigon, Urinetown
  • 2005- Disney's Beauty and the Beast
  • 2004- Cabaret, Songs for a New World
  • 2003- Les Miserables, Bat Boy the Musical
  • 2002- Side Show
  • 2001- Singin' in the Rain
  • 2000- Carousel
  • 1999- Grease
  • 1990- The Wiz
  • 1989- A Flea in Her Ear, Nine
  • 1988- Midsummer Nights Dream, Revenge of the Space Pandas, Evita
  • 1987- Amadeus, Cabaret
  • 1986- Sweeney Todd
  • 1985- Runaways, Godspell
  • 1984- Charile's Aunt, Wonderful Town
  • 1983- Picnic, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
  • 1982- The Skin of Our Teeth, Music Man

Student body

The make-up of the student body is 49.8% Caucasian, 41.5% Asian, 4.2% Hispanic, 1.8% African American, 1.5% Filipino, .4% Pacific Islander, and .2% American Indian. University High School is attended by students from more than sixty countries who speak over forty native languages.

95% of the 2003 UHS graduates entered post-secondary institutions of which 62% entered four-year universities and colleges. Thirty-three percent entered community colleges, of whom many plan to transfer to four-year institutions. Fifty percent of the students in the class of 2003 were accepted to schools in the University of California (UC) system and 31.5% are attending one of the UC schools. Eighteen percent were accepted to California State University campuses, with 6% attending. Five percent of the students enrolled in vocational training, joined the U.S. military, returned to their native countries, or planned to work or travel. [6]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ U.S. News and World Report article
  2. ^ The Top of the Class: The complete list of the 1,300 top U.S. schools in Newsweek
  3. ^ Schools 10-200 from 2005 in Newsweek
  4. ^ 100-200 of 1236 fro m2006 in Newsweek
  5. ^ Showing 100-200 of 1351 Schools from 2007 in Newsweek
  6. ^ 2006-2007 School Profile
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