University High School (Tucson)
Encyclopedia
University High School (UHS) is an accelerated public high school located in Tucson, Arizona
, originally known as Special Projects High School (SPHS), University High School is in the Tucson Unified School District
(TUSD). The mission statement of UHS identifies it as "a special function high school which serves students who are academically focused and intellectually gifted and provides curriculum and social support not offered in the comprehensive high school."
. UHS was located at the Tucson High School campus before moving to Rincon's campus at the beginning of September 1985.
The mascot at UHS is the penguin
. When it was known as Special Projects High School, the mascot was the skunk
. Both mascots give the school its reputable colors of black and white.
While UHS is a public school, entry is based upon a combination of exam scores and 7th and 8th grade GPAs. Unlike most schools, the only students who are admitted after freshman year replace the students who leave.
, Model United Nations
, and Science Olympiad
. Generally, school clubs are commonly open to both Rincon and UHS students.
As of 2009, the following AP courses are offered (28 of the 31 that the College Board offers):
In 2007, US News and World Report ranked UHS at 13 among public high schools as well as earning a gold medal in achievement according to US News' ranking system.
In May 2006, Newsweek named UHS as one of "The Public Elites," schools that, "NEWSWEEK excluded...from the list of Best High Schools because so many of their students score well above average on the SAT and ACT."
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, originally known as Special Projects High School (SPHS), University High School is in the Tucson Unified School District
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson Unified School District is the largest school district of Tucson, Arizona in terms of enrollment. As of 2006 TUSD has more than 60,000 students and approximately 3,700 faculty members....
(TUSD). The mission statement of UHS identifies it as "a special function high school which serves students who are academically focused and intellectually gifted and provides curriculum and social support not offered in the comprehensive high school."
Location and Features
The school currently shares a centrally located campus with Rincon High SchoolRincon High School
Rincon High School is a public high school in Tucson, Arizona. The school serves about 1,300 students in grades 9 to 12 in the Tucson Unified School District . Since 1985, the campus has been shared with University High School, a separate accelerated institution. Courses from each school can be...
. UHS was located at the Tucson High School campus before moving to Rincon's campus at the beginning of September 1985.
The mascot at UHS is the penguin
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
. When it was known as Special Projects High School, the mascot was the skunk
Skunk
Skunks are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. General appearance varies from species to species, from black-and-white to brown or cream colored. Skunks belong to the family Mephitidae and to the order Carnivora...
. Both mascots give the school its reputable colors of black and white.
While UHS is a public school, entry is based upon a combination of exam scores and 7th and 8th grade GPAs. Unlike most schools, the only students who are admitted after freshman year replace the students who leave.
Relationship with Rincon
University High students participate in Rincon's athletics and fine arts programs. Students from both schools are generally able to participate in classes that are only offered by the other school. A few extracurricular activities are separate between the schools, mostly competitive clubs such as Academic Decathlon, the chess team, Mock TrialMock trial
A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
, Model United Nations
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
, and Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an American elementary, middle, or high school team competition which tests knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability. Over 6,200 teams from 49 U.S. states compete each year. Most teams compete in three levels of competition: regionals, states, and nationals...
. Generally, school clubs are commonly open to both Rincon and UHS students.
AP Offerings
UHS students graduate after taking a minimum of 4 Advanced Placement (AP) classes (AP English as upperclassmen and AP US History and AP US Government), while many opt to take additional AP courses, some even complete as many as 16. In 2004, the school had the greatest percentage of students passing the AP exams for United States History, Comparative Politics and English Language of any high school in the world. Also, nearly all of students continue on to college with 50-75% achieving one or more scholarships.As of 2009, the following AP courses are offered (28 of the 31 that the College Board offers):
APs
- AP English Literature
- AP German Language
- AP English Language
- AP Spanish Language
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Spanish Literature
- AP European History
- AP World History
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics B
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Phys C (Mechanics)
- AP Macroeconomics
- AP Phys C (Electricity & Magnetism)
- AP U.S. History
- AP Govt & Politics: US
- AP History of Art
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Studio Art
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Music Theory
- AP Statistics
- AP Psychology
- AP French Language
- AP Computer Science A
- AP French Literature
- AP Computer Sci AB
Honors as a preparatory school
In December 2009, US News and World Report identified UHS as one of "America's best high schools- Gold Medal list".In 2007, US News and World Report ranked UHS at 13 among public high schools as well as earning a gold medal in achievement according to US News' ranking system.
In May 2006, Newsweek named UHS as one of "The Public Elites," schools that, "NEWSWEEK excluded...from the list of Best High Schools because so many of their students score well above average on the SAT and ACT."
Notable alumni
- Gabrielle GiffordsGabrielle GiffordsGabrielle Dee "Gabby" Giffords is an American politician. A Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, she has represented since 2007. She is the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to the U.S. Congress...
, US Representative from Arizona's 8th district - Thomas HarlanThomas HarlanThomas Harlan is a science fiction/fantasy writer and wargame designer.-Fantasy:The Oath of Empire from Tor Books: An alternate history historical fantasy series set in 7th century Rome and Persia....
, author and game designer - Martha Crawford HeitzmannMartha Crawford HeitzmannMartha Crawford Heitzmann is head of research and innovation on the managing board of Areva, the French state-owned nuclear power conglomerate. One of a very few Americans in the upper ranks of French business, she has a professional background in environmental policy and engineering...
, vice president for research and development, Air Liquide, France - Jessica Grace WingJessica Grace WingJessica Grace Wing was an American theatrical composer active in New York City. She was resident composer of the off-Broadway Inverse Theater Company and wrote one full-length musical, Lost....
, composer and film-maker