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Average

#930 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 42% in state

University City Sr. High

High School · UNIVERSITY CITY

7401 BALSON AVE, University City, MO 63130

Enrollment

811

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#930 of 2,221

In University City

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

UNIVERSITY CITY

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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University City Sr. High

6.8/10

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

Jackson Park Elem.

5.3/10

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

Christ the King Catholic School

7.1/10

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

About University City Sr. High

University City Sr. High is a public high school in University City, MO, part of UNIVERSITY CITY. University City Sr.

High serves approximately 811 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. University City Sr. High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #930 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for University City Sr. High show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above MO schools
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

45% of students at University City Sr. High 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 Progress9.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+13.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.9% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-6.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected+15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation9.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,144
Chronic Absenteeism45.4%

University City Sr. High — Students at University City Sr. High score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 47.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 31 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
13%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
12%
ELA
46%
2011
Math
16%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
26%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
49.5%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
22%
ELA
32.8%
2025
Math
42%
ELA
39.9%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How University City Sr. High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in MO
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
5.7/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.3
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
9.7% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·36 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

7401 BALSON AVE, University City, MO 63130

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University City Sr. High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CLAYTON HIGH (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JUVENILE DETENTION CTR. (rated 5.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Clayton), a more accessible option. For more schools in University City, see our University City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
JACKSON PARK ELEM. University City 0.1 mi 5.3
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Louis 0.2 mi 7.1
AGAPE ACADEMY & CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER St. Louis 0.4 mi 4.6
ESTHER MILLER BAIS YAAKOV St. Louis 0.5 mi
TORAH PREP SCHOOL - BOYS DIVISION St. Louis 0.6 mi 6.7
FLYNN PARK ELEM. University City 0.9 mi 7.6
BRITTANY WOODS University City 1.0 mi 3.8
TORAH PREP SCHOOL St. Louis 1.0 mi 6.5
WASHINGTON ELEM. St. Louis 1.3 mi 4.2
PERSHING ELEM. University City 1.1 mi 4.3
OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Clayton 1.3 mi 7.5
JULIA GOLDSTEIN EARLY CHILD. University City 1.2 mi 5.7
A GROWING PLACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL St. Louis 1.4 mi
MERAMEC ELEM. Clayton 1.5 mi 8.9
BARBARA JORDAN ELEM. University City 1.4 mi 6.6
CLAYTON HIGH Clayton 1.4 mi 9.1
JUVENILE DETENTION CTR. Clayton 1.6 mi 5.5
THE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL Pagedale 1.5 mi 7.0
THE FREEDOM SCHOOL St. Louis 1.5 mi 7.0
GLENRIDGE ELEM. Clayton 1.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63130 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,103

Median Home Value

$285,500

Median Rent

$1,199/mo

Population

29,074

College Educated

63.6%

Homeownership

61.9%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

36.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DE SMET JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL St. Louis, MO 6.8
SIKESTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Sikeston, MO 6.8
BAYLESS SENIOR HIGH St. Louis, MO 6.7
FESTUS SR. HIGH Festus, MO 6.7
HILLCREST HIGH Springfield, MO 6.9
CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL St. Louis, MO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University City Sr. High

What grades does University City Sr. High serve?

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

How many students attend University City Sr. High?

University City Sr. High has an enrollment of approximately 811 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University City Sr. High?

The student-teacher ratio at University City Sr. High is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University City Sr. High rank in MO?

University City Sr. High ranks #930 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is University City Sr. High's MySchoolScout rating?

University City Sr. High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 City Sr. High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University City Sr. High has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is University City Sr. High a charter school?

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

Is University City Sr. High a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at University City Sr. 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
811
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
61
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
St. Louis County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.4%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

UNIVERSITY CITY
District Enrollment
2,672
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,144
District Rank
#2 of 7

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