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Very Good

#2350 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 25% in state

University Preparatory High

High School · Tulare County Office of Education

915 South Mooney Blvd. Mariposa Bldg., Visalia, CA 93277

Charter

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

24.7:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Visalia

#6 of 50

public schools

California high schools

#413 of 1,892

In district

#1 of 4

Tulare County Office of Education

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About University Preparatory High

University Preparatory High serves 247 students in grades 9-12 in Visalia, California, operating as a charter school with a focused college-preparatory mission. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.7:1, creating an environment where educators can build meaningful relationships with their students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 88th percentile among California high schools at #1151 out of 9566 schools statewide.

Students show particularly impressive results in English Language Arts, with 81% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 58% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, providing a solid foundation for college preparation. University Preparatory High draws students from a diverse community where the median household income is $73,801 and 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school's location on South Mooney Boulevard places it in the heart of Visalia, a mid-size Central Valley city known for its agricultural heritage and growing educational opportunities. The surrounding ZIP code of 93277 is home to over 54,000 residents, creating a substantial community base that supports the school's college-preparatory focus.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at University Preparatory High is 24.7:1, 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.

University Preparatory High is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.2%
Math vs. State Avg+30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+39.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$104,681

University Preparatory High — Students at University Preparatory High score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
51.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2024
Math
58%
ELA
81.2%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How University Preparatory High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in CA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

915 South Mooney Blvd. Mariposa Bldg., Visalia, CA 93277

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University Preparatory High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Visalia Charter Independent Study (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Visalia Technical Early College (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sequoia High (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Visalia, see our Visalia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Visalia Charter Independent Study Visalia 0.3 mi 7.6
Royal Oaks Elementary Visalia 0.5 mi 4.3
Divisadero Middle Visalia 0.6 mi 3.5
Creekside Community Day Visalia 1.0 mi
Sequoia High Visalia 1.0 mi 6.3
Conyer Elementary Visalia 0.8 mi 4.4
Redwood High Visalia 0.9 mi 4.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Visalia 0.9 mi 5.6
Green Acres Middle Visalia 1.1 mi 3.5
Valley Life Charter Visalia 1.2 mi 6.2
Mt. Whitney High Visalia 1.1 mi 4.4
Veva Blunt Elementary Visalia 1.1 mi 6.0
Crestwood Elementary Visalia 1.4 mi 5.2
Highland Elementary Visalia 1.2 mi 7.9
Houston Elementary Visalia 1.4 mi 7.3
Charter Home School Academy Visalia 1.3 mi 8.0
Mountain View Elementary Visalia 1.5 mi 6.9
Visalia Technical Early College Visalia 1.6 mi 7.4
Crescent Valley Public Charter II Visalia 1.5 mi 5.9
Manuel F. Hernandez Visalia 1.8 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,532

Median Home Value

$320,500

Median Rent

$1,406/mo

Population

53,406

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

60.5%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding University Preparatory High has a median household income of $79,532. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $320,500, with a median rent of $1,406/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Benjamin Banneker Career and Transition Center Los Angeles, CA 7.5
California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano, CA 7.5
EASTSIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL East Palo Alto, CA 7.5
Environmental Charter High - Gardena Gardena, CA 7.5
SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA 7.5
School for Entrepreneurship and Technology San Diego, CA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University Preparatory High

What grades does University Preparatory High serve?

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

How many students attend University Preparatory High?

University Preparatory High has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University Preparatory High?

The student-teacher ratio at University Preparatory High is 24.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University Preparatory High rank in CA?

University Preparatory High is ranked #2350 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is University Preparatory High's MySchoolScout rating?

University Preparatory High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Preparatory High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University Preparatory High has 61.2% math proficiency and 80.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is University Preparatory High a charter school?

Yes, University Preparatory High is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is University Preparatory High a Title I school?

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

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

78.9% of students at University Preparatory 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,586/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Tulare County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tulare County Office of Education
District Enrollment
1,605
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$111,072
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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