Fresno’s own University High School achieved an educational trifecta this month when it was nationally ranked by three different news organizations.   U.S. News and World Report, The Washington Post and Newsweek, using different measures, included University High School on their Best High School lists.

University High School has achieved national recognition before but this is the first time all three organizations have acknowledged the school at one time.

Out of 21,776 schools, U.S. News and World Report ranked University High School as the 10th best charter and 46th best school in the nation.  In California, UHS was ranked as the 10th best school. (Other area schools included Edison at 203rd in the State with Clovis West at number 206).  U.S. News and World Report analyzed 21,776 schools in 49 states looking at different test data to determine the rankings.

Newsweek named University High School the 7th best high school in the State of California and the 80th best nationally in its America’s Best School List. The magazine wrote:

 “This year, our ranking highlights the best 1,000 public high schools in the nation—the ones that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready grads. The list is based on six components provided by school administrators: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), AP/IB/AICE tests taken per student (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10 percent), and AP courses offered per student (5 percent).”

The Washington Post High School Challenge list of America’s most challenging high schools ranked UHS the 10th best high school in California and 85th best in the nation.  This list used a third set of criteria to determine its rankings.

 “When our school founders created University High School 12 years ago I don’t think they ever dreamed the school would be so successful,” said James Bushman, Head of School at UHS.  “We are proud that here in Fresno students have the chance to attend a free public school that truly is among the nation’s best.”

The rankings cap off a year that already included University High School being named a California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll School and included a sixth consecutive national championship in the Academic Decathlon competition for small high schools.

University High, a free public school, was chartered in 2000 and is an independent charter school in the Fresno Unified School District.   A 470-student, college preparatory, music- and arts-enriched school, it serves youth in grades 9-12.

The school moved into a new, permanent facility on the Fresno State campus in November of 2010.  University High students have access to Fresno State facilities, attend college courses for credit and receive a small-school, accelerated-achievement high school experience.

For more information, contact Head of School James Bushman at 278-8263

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