University High School (Irvine, California)
| University High School | |
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| Motto | Unity through Diversity |
| Established | 1971 |
| Principal | John Pehrson |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | about 2,200 |
| Mascot | Trojan |
| Newspaper | The Sword and Shield |
| Website | iusd.org/uhs |
University High School (UHS or "Uni") is one of four public high school 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 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.
Academics
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.
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. In 2003, the school ranked 58th[1]out of the top 804 high schools in the nation. In 2005, the school ranked 117th[2] out of the top 1000 high schools. In Newsweek's current 2006 list, the school ranks 156th[3] out of 1,200 top high schools, and in 2007, Uni was ranked 186th.
University High school is often noted for its various academic teams, including Physics Bowl, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, and math competitions (including ARML, and Math Day at the Beach).
In 2006, they ranked 2nd-- only losing to the Fullerton magnet school, Troy High School (California).
University High School's physics bowl team won first place in regionals (07-08 school year) for the second year in a row.
UHS also excels in MUN, traditionally scoring high in the many divisions and awards categories.
UHS is one of the few schools in the United States to offer A.P. U.S. History and U.S. History to sophomores.
Facilities
Athletics
University High School is famous throughout Orange County for its legendary tennis program. In spring of 2007, the boys tennis team won their division in CIF after placing in the semi and quarter finals for many years. This year the girls side is ranked highly, currently #4 in Orange County and the boys continue to thrive under coaches John Kessler and Scott Scoggin. Trojan swimming also traditionally dominates at CIF, with both the boys and girls capturing many individual and team wins in league and CIF. The soccer program recently sprung into action in 2007, with both the boys and girls varsity soccer teams winning their respective leagues.
Trojan Varsity Football currently 7-0 in non-league as of 10/24/07.
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.
The UHS Trojan Marching Band is definately one of the highlights of the performing arts and athletic programs at Uni. Currently ranked in the 4A division with over 120 members, the band and drumline/pit received a first place in the 2006 Loara HS Field Show Competition for its show "Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba." The band and colorguard also performeds annual parades at Disneyland for the last five years in a row. The 2007 field show will be Frank Ticheli's Vesuvius. The marching band is open to anyone in the music program, but a rigorous audition is required for the drumline. The marching season lasts from September to the middle of November where the band attends numerous football games, competitions, parades, and spends over 200 hours dedicated to practice. Currently, the 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.
University High School has three concert bands: Concert Band (Beginning), Symphonic Band (Intermediate), and Wind Ensemble (Advanced/Elite). The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble are audition-only classes. Entry into the Wind Ensemble is highly competitive. Many dedicated students in the Wind Ensemble are accepted into local/state, and sometimes even national Honor Orchestras. The concert bands are directed by Corey Heddon. The percussion ensembles for each band is directed by Marie Sato. The Jazz Ensemble is directed by Brandon Johnson.
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. There are three orchestras: String Orchestra (Beginning), Concert Orchestra (Beginning/Intermediate), and Symphony Orchestra (Advanced). Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra require an audition. The orchestras are currently directed by Brandon Johnson.
Past Marching Band Shows:
2007 - Vesuvius: The Destruction of Pompeii by Frank Ticheli
2006 - Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba
2005 - Chicago
Theatre
University High School is also known throughout Southern California for its quality theater productions. Led by the head of the theatre department, Daniel R. Trevino, University High is particularly known for the mounting of its full-scale annual spring musicals. 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.
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
Student body
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.
Notable alumni
- Garrett Atkins - Major League Baseball player for the Colorado Rockies
- Ezra Klein - Political blogger
- Will Ferrell - Hollywood Actor and Former Saturday Night Live Cast Member
- Tim Wallach - Former Major League Baseball player and Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach
- Ben Maller - Sports Radio Personality
- Zach de la Rocha - Lead singer of Rage Against the Machine
- Nicole Parker - MadTV cast member and comedian
- Tim Commerford - Bassist Rage Against the Machine, former bassist of Audioslave
- Vanness Wu - Taiwanese singer and actor
- Martin Leung - Known as the VideoGame Pianist online
- Dita Von Teese (Heather Sweet)- Burlesque artist
See also
- Irvine High School
- Northwood High School
- Woodbridge High School
- Rancho San Joaquin Middle School
- Vista Verde Middle School
- Venado Middle School
- Irvine Unified School District
References
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