Mission: The program at UHS is one that strives to honor each student’s individuality and unique learning style in a safe and supportive educational environment. UHS is a small learning community maintaining class sizes of 15 students. The school helps students to fully develop their strengths and skills through a curriculum focusing on project-based learning, portfolio development, and life skills. The school fosters development of a positive atmosphere and congenial sense of community in which all students and staff enjoy mutual respect.
THE ABCD UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL (UHS) has operated in cooperation with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) for over fifteen years. It enables approximately 75 young people each year to complete courses at ABCD and earn a BPS diploma from their assigned BPS school. Many of these students are over-age, struggling academically or otherwise at risk in the traditional school system.
Students often take more than four core classes a year, providing an opportunity for students to obtain an intensive learning experience and to catch up on some of the classes they may have missed. UHS also emphasizes MCAS preparedness, incorporating the use of tutors to ensure that UHS students pass the MCAS prior to graduation.
Case Management Component
University High School has an intensive case management component with a ratio of one case manager per 25 students. These case mangers act as guidance counselors, job skills trainers, and traditional case managers. This support enables students to problem solve and address the situations and behaviors that have been barriers to their education in the past.
Career Development
Seminars
UHS offers seminars in the areas of physical education, fine arts, computers, newspaper, health and student council. These seminars are possible through a partnership with other community-based agencies such as the Adolescent Wellness Center, the Asian Task Force Against Teen Dating Violence, and Boston Public Schools Unified Student Services.
Extra Curricular Activities
A basketball team, video yearbook project, and student council are among the opportunities available to students at UHS.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The intake and enrollment process for UHS includes administration of an assessment test of basic skills, completion and submission of an intake application and all supporting documents required to demonstrate eligibility, submission of a Boston Public School transcript, enrollment or re-enrollment in Boston Public Schools and an interview for appropriateness to the program.
To be eligible for the program students must be between the ages of 16-21, have entered high school over two years ago, be a Boston resident, be from a low or low-moderate income family, be a U.S. citizen or possess documentation of work eligibility (and registered with Selective Service if male aged 18 and over), and must test at a 7th grade level or above.