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Below Average

#2692 of 3,190 schools in MI

University High School

High School · Ferndale Public Schools

2521 Bermuda, Ferndale, MI 48220

Enrollment

494

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ferndale

#7 of 8

public schools

Michigan high schools

#653 of 812

In district

#5 of 6

Ferndale Public Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About University High School

University High School is a regular public high school located in the suburban community of Ferndale, Michigan. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 494 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1, University High offers personalized attention to its students within a supportive academic environment.

While the school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.4 out of 10 and ranks as #2734 in Michigan, it is clear that there are areas where improvement can be made. The academic performance data shows that only 21% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while the math proficiency rate sits at a lower 4%. Despite these challenges, University High School remains committed to fostering student development and providing a solid educational foundation for its diverse community.

Located in a large suburban area, University High School benefits from its setting with easy access to local amenities and resources. This environment allows students to engage in various extracurricular activities and community service projects while enjoying the advantages of both urban and rural settings nearby.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at University High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at University High School is 22.5:1, 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics3.9Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,686

University High School — Students at University High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 3.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How University High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in MI
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

2521 Bermuda, Ferndale, MI 48220

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ferndale High School (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL & ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Detroit), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Invest Roosevelt Alternative High School (rated 5.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Hazel Park), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus Ferndale 0.6 mi 7.3
FERNDALE MONTESSORI CENTER Ferndale 0.9 mi
Edison Ferndale 0.8 mi 7.5
Webb Elementary School Ferndale 1.0 mi 6.9
Ferndale High School Ferndale 1.2 mi 8.2
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Royal Oak 1.3 mi 6.6
Ferndale Middle School Ferndale 1.2 mi 5.9
Jardon Vocational School Ferndale 1.1 mi 7.7
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Royal Oak 1.4 mi 6.2
Oakland Elementary School Royal Oak 1.3 mi 7.1
Invest Roosevelt Alternative High School Hazel Park 1.2 mi 5.5
Ferndale Upper Elementary Campus Oak Park 1.4 mi 6.8
Tri County Educational Center Ferndale 1.7 mi 4.2
Royal Oak Middle School Royal Oak 2.0 mi 6.4
Pasteur Elementary School Detroit 2.1 mi 5.3
Keys Grace Academy Madison Heights 2.1 mi 6.3
Keller Elementary Royal Oak 2.5 mi 6.8
Hazel Park Junior High School Hazel Park 1.9 mi 7.5
Wilkinson Middle School Madison Heights 2.1 mi 4.7
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL & ACADEMY Detroit 2.6 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,095

Median Home Value

$229,700

Median Rent

$1,191/mo

Population

21,502

College Educated

52.7%

Homeownership

64.5%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding University High School has a median household income of $86,095. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,700, with a median rent of $1,191/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Bridge Academy Hamtramck, MI 4.8
Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur, MI 4.8
Detroit School of Arts Detroit, MI 4.8
Gwinn MiddleHigh School Gwinn, MI 4.8
Hemlock High School Hemlock, MI 4.8
Lake Fenton High School Linden, MI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University High School

What grades does University High School serve?

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

How many students attend University High School?

University High School has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at University High School is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University High School rank in MI?

University High School is ranked #2692 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is University High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University High School has 3.8% math proficiency and 20.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is University High School a charter school?

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

Is University High School a Title I school?

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

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

86.6% of students at University High School 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

City Safety
High (1,733/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Oakland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ferndale Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,176
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,369
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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