University Preparatory Academy
University Preparatory Academy (UPA) is a charter school located in San Jose, California, United States. Its charter was approved by the Santa Clara Board of Trustees. UPA opened in the fall of 2007 as a middle and high school, offering grades 7–12th. Currently about 550 students attend UPA and the school has a student/teacher ratio of 30:1, above average for Californian schools.
University Preparatory Academy | |
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Address | |
2315 Canoas Garden Avenue California Silicon Valley , Santa Clara , 95125 United States | |
Coordinates | 37°17′30″N 121°52′29″W |
Information | |
School type | Charter School |
Established | 2007 |
Founder | Daniel Ordaz, Jacklyn Guevara, Dorothy Westerhoff, Kurt Foreman |
CEEB code | 054245 |
Grades | 7–12 |
Student to teacher ratio | 20:1 |
Color(s) | Gold and blue |
Sports | Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Cheerleading (High School Varsity and Middle School) |
Mascot | Glen the Golden Eagle |
Accreditation | WASC |
National ranking | 55th |
Website | www |
UPA courses frequently make use of technology, and computers and internet access are readily made available to all students for educational purposes.
UPA is located at the Cathedral of Faith church at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave.
In 2016, UPA was ranked the 55th best high school in the nation and the 4th best in California by U.S. News & World Report.
Background
UPA was founded as University Preparatory Academy in 2007. 2015 marked UPA's fifth graduating senior class. Graduation standards are more rigorous than at other high schools, requiring more AP units than is mandated by California laws.
UPA's campus is located near downtown San Jose in the Willow Glen area. It shares its campus with the Cathedral of Faith and a small preschool, and features its own outdoors amphitheatre. It is easily accessible via the Curtner Road station of the VTA light rail, and is within walking distance of two shopping centers.
Available Courses
Core Classes
- Mathematics - Common Core (Math 7, Math 8, Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 2, Integrated Math 3, Integrated Math 3+), Statistics, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC
- English - English 7-12, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition
- Foreign Languages - Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Spanish Immersion, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature
- Science - Life Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Marine Biology
- History - Ancient Civilizations, American History, World Geography, World History, U.S. History, Economics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP World History, AP U.S. History
Clubs
University Preparatory Academy has a number of clubs, founded and funded mostly by students and widely ranging in theme.
- Innovation, Design, Engineering and Animation Club (IDEA)
- Speech and Debate
- Interact Club 5170 Area 7
- EcoSquad
- GirlUp!
- International Biology Olympiad
- Science Olympiad
- ARK Club (Acts of Random Kindness)
- Spanish Club (Unidad Poder Academico)
- Filipino Culture Club (Hawak-Kamay)
- Korean Culture Club (대박!)
- BARC (Big-hearted Animal Rescue Club)
- Inter-Key Club
- Design Club
- SNAP Fundraiser Club
- Robotics Club
- FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
- Creature Conservation Club
- Girls Who Code Club
- Hack Club
Sports
UPA's sports program includes, or will expand to include the following sports. Teams are coached professionally.
- Coed Varsity Cross Country (Practices are held coed, but competitions are separated)
- Boys Varsity Basketball
- Girls Varsity Basketball
- Boys Varsity Volleyball
- Girls Varsity Volleyball
Theatre and Dance Department
[1] In addition to the drama classes available for both middle school and high school students, each year UPA hosts two drama productions (a fall play and spring musical) and a fall dance showcase every spring by the students in dance classes at the school. Students can audition to perform in the theatre productions, or apply to be on technical crews or part of the band for musicals. Below is a list of some of UPA's previous shows (Year: Fall Play, Spring Musical). Catherine Dietrich is the current drama and dance teacher.
- 2010–2011: Lovers' Quarrels, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- 2011–2012: I Hate Shakespeare!, Grease
- 2012–2013: 30 Reasons NOT To Be In A Play, Once On This Island
- 2013–2014: The Broken Badge, Hairspray
- 2014–2015: Snow Angel, Once Upon A Mattress
- 2015–2016: Spy School, Footloose
- 2016–2017: The End of the World (With Prom to Follow), Singin' in the Rain
- 2017–2018: subText, Emma!
In recent years UPA has begun a tradition of hosting an additional theatre production in the fall: a murder mystery dinner. In 2017, the students performed Cafe Murder. In 2018 they will perform Murder at the Banquet.
Events
University Preparatory Academy frequently has schoolwide events, to celebrate achievements, increase student morale, and display school spirit. Other events, such as the annual college trip help students to succeed academically. Such events include
- The Annual Jog-a-thon - Students jog laps in the school parking lot to raise funds for the school athletics program.
- School Dances - Many dances are held throughout the year including Homecoming, the Halloween Dance, Spring Dance, and Prom.
- Friday Movie Nights - On occasion, the entire school is invited to watch a movie of their choice on a Friday.
- Drama Productions - These are showcased twice every year, and UPA students are recruited to act in or support a play. Typically, the finished products are showcased in fall and spring.
- Junior College Trip - Once a year, junior students are taken on a trip to Southern California to tour renowned colleges such as California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Irvine, and others. Students on this trip learn about the application process and familiarize themselves with college campuses.
- Annual College Trip - All students grades 7-12 visit a nearby college to ready themselves for graduation from high school and entrance into college. Schools visited include Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Developers/Founders
- Daniel Ordaz — Education Consultant, Retired Assistant Superintendent of East Side Union High School District
- Jacklyn Guevara — Retired Executive Director of East Side Union High School District
- Dorothy Westerhoff — Education Consultant, Retired Educator/School Administrator of East Side Union High School District
- Kurt Foreman — Director of Operations for Cathedral of Faith