Skip to main content

Average

#2382 of 3,192 schools in MI

University High School

High School · Ferndale Public Schools

2521 Bermuda, Ferndale, MI 48220

Enrollment

494

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,382 of 3,192

In Ferndale

#3 of 8

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Ferndale Public Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around University High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

University High School

5.2/10

High School in Ferndale · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus

2.9/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ferndale Montessori Center

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About University High School

University High School is a public high school in Ferndale, MI, part of Ferndale Public Schools. University High School serves approximately 494 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. University High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,382 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for University High School show 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at University High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

University High School runs 22.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

83% of students at University High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness6.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation6.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,369
Chronic Absenteeism82.8%

University High School — Students at University High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

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 5.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
2.5%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
2.5%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
2.5%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
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: 7.7/10.

How University High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
25th percentile in MI
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.5
Sports
5
2 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
82.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.9% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
2 boys'·3 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL & ACADEMY (rated 5.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Detroit), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Invest Roosevelt Alternative High School (rated 5.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Hazel Park), with a very similar rating. 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 2.9
FERNDALE MONTESSORI CENTER Ferndale 0.9 mi
Edison Ferndale 0.8 mi 5.0
Webb Elementary School Ferndale 1.0 mi 4.7
Ferndale High School Ferndale 1.2 mi 7.4
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Royal Oak 1.3 mi 6.6
Ferndale Middle School Ferndale 1.2 mi 4.8
Jardon Vocational School Ferndale 1.1 mi 5.8
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Royal Oak 1.4 mi 6.3
Oakland Elementary School Royal Oak 1.3 mi 6.6
Invest Roosevelt Alternative High School Hazel Park 1.2 mi 5.1
Ferndale Upper Elementary Campus Oak Park 1.4 mi 3.5
Tri County Educational Center Ferndale 1.7 mi 4.9
Royal Oak Middle School Royal Oak 2.0 mi 6.3
Pasteur Elementary School Detroit 2.1 mi 6.2
Keys Grace Academy Madison Heights 2.1 mi 4.9
Keller Elementary Royal Oak 2.5 mi 6.4
Hazel Park Junior High School Hazel Park 1.9 mi 5.2
Wilkinson Middle School Madison Heights 2.1 mi 4.1
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL & ACADEMY Detroit 2.6 mi 5.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Annapolis High School Dearborn Heights, MI 5.2
East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney Detroit, MI 5.2
Ecorse Community High School Ecorse, MI 5.2
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids, MI 5.2
Grand River Preparatory High School Grand Rapids, MI 5.2
Great Lakes Learning Academy MSHS East Lansing, MI 5.2

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 ranks #2,382 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is University High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at University High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University High School has 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
82.8%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.