Tulare County Office of Education

A high school for students committed to
college success, leadership and community service.

Information Nights
for students in 9th-12th grades and their parents

February 2, 2012, 6:00pm
COS, Sequoia Building, Room 1
February 9, 2012, 6:00pm
COS, Sequoia Building, Room 1
February 16, 2012, 6:00pm
COS, Sequoia Building, Room 1
February 23, 2012, 6:00pm
COS, Sequoia Building, Room 1

The Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE), in partnership with the College of the Sequoias (COS), has established a unique, high-performance high school on the COS campus. University Preparatory High School (UPHS) is a free, public high school chartered by the Tulare County Board of Education which opened Fall 2009.

UPHS welcomes all highly-motivated students looking for an accelerated and rigorous academic program that prepares them for college success. UPHS students will experience their high school years in a college setting, participate in college classes and earn college credits.

UPHS also offers a robust arts program, including drama, dance, music and fine arts. Additionally, students have a growing number of sports options, including soccer, swimming and sports classes available at COS.

Early College Experience

One of the many strengths of University Preparatory High School is the opportunity it provides students to acclimate to college culture and develop the many skills required for college success while they are still in high school. They learn to navigate the complexities of the modern college experience, develop academic and social self-reliance, and effectively implement learning strategies that will serve them well for a lifetime. UPHS students also take a variety of interesting college courses that are transferable to four-year colleges and universities. Students earn college credits in a variety of ways. For example, they may enroll in regular COS courses, take online COS classes, or take articulated high school classes that simultaneously earn both high school graduation credits and transferable college units.

According to many studies conducted by Jobs for the Future, in partnership with The Bill and Melinda Gates Early College High School Initiative, the early college high school approach is a time-tested method proven to increase academic success and college readiness, as well as successful matriculation to and graduation from institutions of higher learning.

Service for Others

University Preparatory High School

UPHS students work cooperatively on projects for the benefit of others. Sometimes these student-generated service projects are in the form of fundraisers and food or clothing drives for local, national or international communitites at times of need. Other volunteerism and beautification projects serve the needs of the College of the Sequoias community. Through service to others, UPHS students learn the values of leadership, goal-setting, and meaningful participation in civic life. Over 75 clubs on the campus of the College of the Sequoias also provide numerous opportunities for UPHS students to be of service to others.

Core Values

The educational model for curriculum and instruction at University Preparatory High School is based on these core values:

The development of knowledge is a worthwhile pursuit in its own right, and its development requires dedicated effort.
High expectations for all students will lead to all students performing at high levels.
A supportive and caring school environment is essential to nurture students’ abilities, talents, aspirations and desires.
Participation in youth development activities, community service, mentoring and civic engagement empowers students to improve their communities, reach out to others, and become positive agents for change.
All human beings are deserving of dignity and worth, and University Preparatory High School is a place where the ideals of equality of treatment and equality of opportunity contribute to a culture of tolerance and respect for each and every individual.

These core values are the foundation of a student-centered environment created to develop self-reliant and successful high school students who are well-prepared for college, careers and service to the wider community.

Application

UPHS is a rigorous college-preparation program. Students interested in attending the school must be prepared to write an essay indicating their interest and willingness to participate in the school’s core learning activities, including high-level academics, leadership and community service.

Students and their parents or guardians will attend an entrance interview that will include UPHS and COS staff members.

Student Life

All UPHS students will participate in academic courses designed to ensure the development of skills that will prepare them for success in college. UPHS students will participate in a variety of activities in addition to their core academic courses. These activities include mentoring, service-learning projects, and leadership and enrichment programs. In order to provide sufficient time for these important activities, all UPHS students will participate in an extended-day schedule, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

University Preparatory High School

In support of the school's academic atmosphere, UPHS students will observe an appropriate dress code. Students will be closely monitored while attending UPHS. Faculty and staff will determine when students have reached the level of personal maturity and academic readiness to concurrently enroll in college-level classes and to engage in a wider range of academic experiences.

UPHS students organize and participate in public presentations, including music, dance, dramatic performances and public art exhibits, all of which are held several times per year. UPHS students enjoy all of the extracurricular activities found at most high schools, such as fall and spring dances, pep rallies, parties, movie nights, field trips, academic competitions and sports. An active UPHS Student Council organizes a great variety of student activities and clubs. Clubs at UPHS include: Drama Club, Writers Guild, Robotics Club, Chess Club, Choir Club, Philosophy Club, Science Club, Christian Fellowship Club and Amnesty International. UPHS students produce a beautiful, four-color yearbook and a school newspaper. Additionally, UPHS students visit colleges and universities throughout California to gain insight into college admission requirements and strategies for college success.

Fill out your application today! (pdf file)

For more information, contact:

John Kelly, Principal
johnk@tcoe.org
(559) 730-2529
(559) 730-2518 (fax)

University Preparatory High School
915 S. Mooney Blvd.
Mariposa Building
Visalia, CA 93277

2009-2010 School Accountability Report Card (SARC)

TCOE and COS logos

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