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Average

#4063 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 43% in state

University High

High School · Irvine Unified

4771 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612

Enrollment

2,226

Student-Teacher

26.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Irvine

#23 of 47

public schools

California high schools

#794 of 1,892

In district

#21 of 43

Irvine Unified

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About University High

University High serves 2,226 students in grades 9-12 in Irvine, California, earning a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This large public high school ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide, placing #1696 out of 9566 California schools, with particularly strong academic performance reflected in its 9.1 academic score. Students demonstrate solid proficiency across core subjects, with 71% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 67% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school operates with 83 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 26.8 to 1. University High draws from an educated community where 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area shows economic diversity with a poverty rate of 26.3%. The surrounding 92612 zip code has a median household income of $88,929 and median home values of $896,300, reflecting the upscale Orange County market.

Located on Campus Drive, University High sits in the heart of Irvine, a planned community known for its family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to education within Orange County's dynamic large city environment.

What Parents Should Know

University High is a large school with 2,226 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at University High is 26.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.3%
Math vs. State Avg+39.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation46.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,314

University High — Students at University High score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 74.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 76.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
84%
2024
Math
67.4%
ELA
71.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How University High Compares

See how University High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers

Location

4771 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bonita Canyon Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FCE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Irvine, see our Irvine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Turtle Rock Elementary Irvine 0.4 mi 5.9
TURTLE ROCK PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Irvine 0.4 mi
VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE Irvine 0.7 mi 7.3
Village Montessori School of Irvine Irvine 0.7 mi
University Park Elementary Irvine 0.7 mi 5.1
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FCE HIGH SCHOOL Irvine 0.9 mi 7.7
UNIVERSITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Irvine 1.1 mi
Bethel Classical Academy Irvine 1.1 mi
University Montessori School of Irvine Irvine 1.1 mi
Rancho San Joaquin Middle Irvine 1.2 mi 6.1
TVT Community Day School Irvine 1.3 mi
In STEPPS Academy Irvine 1.3 mi
TVT COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Irvine 1.4 mi 5.7
Bonita Canyon Elementary Irvine 1.4 mi 8.2
South Lake Middle Irvine 1.4 mi 7.0
The Craig School Irvine 1.4 mi
THE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL Irvine 1.4 mi 5.8
Vista Verde Irvine 1.5 mi 6.8
Westpark Montessori School of Irvine Irvine 1.6 mi
WESTPARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE Irvine 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,938

Median Home Value

$938,900

Median Rent

$2,803/mo

Population

33,706

College Educated

66.6%

Homeownership

26.9%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

24.1%

Median Age

31.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding University High has a median household income of $95,938. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $938,900, with a median rent of $2,803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alisal High Salinas, CA 6.7
Angelo Rodriguez High Fairfield, CA 6.7
Central Union High El Centro, CA 6.7
Cesar E. Chavez High Delano, CA 6.7
Everett Alvarez High Salinas, CA 6.7
Franklin High Stockton, CA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University High

What grades does University High serve?

University High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend University High?

University High has an enrollment of approximately 2,226 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University High?

The student-teacher ratio at University High is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University High rank in CA?

University High is ranked #4063 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is University High's MySchoolScout rating?

University High has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at University High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University High has 74.0% math proficiency and 76.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is University High a charter school?

No, University High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is University High a Title I school?

No, University High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University High?

22.0% of students at University High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
87 Very Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,479/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irvine). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,226
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
83
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Irvine Unified
District Enrollment
37,731
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,405
District Rank
#21 of 43

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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