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
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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University High School — Students at University High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (248) 586-8846
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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