University Preparatory Academy

This article is about a school in San Jose, California. For the Oakland school, see University Preparatory Charter Academy. For the Seattle school, see University Prep.
University Preparatory Academy
Address
2315 Canoas Garden Avenue
California
Silicon Valley
San Jose, California, Santa Clara 95125
 United States
Coordinates 37°17′30″N 121°52′29″W / 37.2916°N 121.8746°W / 37.2916; -121.8746Coordinates: 37°17′30″N 121°52′29″W / 37.2916°N 121.8746°W / 37.2916; -121.8746
Information
School type Charter School
Founded 2007
Opened 2007
Founder Daniel Ordaz, Jacklyn Guevara, Dorothy Westerhoff, Kurt Foreman
CEEB code 054245
Grades 7–12
Student to teacher ratio 20:1
Color(s)          
Orange and blue
Sports Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Competitive Juggling
(High School Varsity and Middle School)
Mascot Golden Eagles
Accreditation WASC
National ranking 55th
Information (408) 723-1839
Website www.upasv.org

UPA, or University Preparatory Academy, is a charter school located in San Jose, California, emphasizing hands-on learning for all ethnicities; its charter was approved by the Santa Clara Board of Trustees. UPA opened in the fall of 2007 as a middle and high school, offering grades 7–12th. Currently about 550 students attend UPA, and the school has a student/teacher ratio of 20:1, above average for Californian schools.

UPA courses frequently make use of technology, and computers and internet access are readily made available to all students for educational purposes.

UPA is located at the Cathedral of Faith church at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave.

In 2016, UPA was ranked the 55th best high school in the nation and the 4th best in California by U.S. News & World Report.

Background

3D rendering of the UPA campus

UPA was founded as University Preparatory Academy in 2007. 2016 marked UPA's fifth graduating senior class. The school has a 100% graduation record, with no seniors being held for any additional years. However, graduation standards are more rigorous than at other high schools, requiring more AP units than is mandated by California law.

UPA's campus is located near downtown San Jose in the Willow Glen area. It shares its campus with the Cathedral of Faith and a small preschool, and features its own outdoors amphitheatre. It is easily accessible via the Curtner Road station of the VTA light rail, and is within walking distance of two shopping centers.

Available Courses

Core Classes

Electives

In addition to its regular classes, UPA offers thirteen different Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Clubs

University Preparatory Academy boasts a number of clubs, founded and funded mostly by students and widely ranging in theme.

Sports

UPA's sports program includes, or will expand to include in the close future the following sports. Teams are coached professionally.

Theatre Department

In addition to the drama classes available for middle and high schoolers, each year UPA hosts two drama productions (a fall play and spring musical). Students can audition to perform in these shows, or apply to be on technical crews. Below is a list of all the shows done for the past four school years (Year: Fall Play, Spring Musical). Catherine Dietrich is the current drama and dance teacher who also directs these shows.

Events

University Preparatory Academy frequently has schoolwide events, to celebrate achievements, increase student morale, and display school spirit. Other events, such as the annual college trip help students to succeed academically. Such events include

Alumni

UPA Alumni have been accepted and enrolled in prestigious institutions including Stanford University, all ten University of California campuses, Ivy League campuses, and multiple California State University campuses.

Developers/Founders

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.