University Academy-Upper

Posted: October 29, 2018

I believe the approach starts strong, but weakens over the school year

Posted: October 29, 2018

Some are but most are just trying to get through the day

Posted: October 29, 2018

they say it and place emphasis own character traits, but staff fails to demonstrate those same character traits with the student

Posted: October 29, 2018

Lack understanding and ability to connect with children

Posted: October 29, 2018

Very low tolerance for students they feel are not keeping up, little opportunity for assistance available to help struggling students

Posted: October 29, 2018

Tend to be one sided, characterize bullying as children just being children, are not proactive in observing a child behavior or circumstances prior to labeling the child a bully

Posted: October 29, 2018

Staff in none responsive, unable to reach any in authority during school hours, messages are left and never returned . Too stringent with rules don't allow for flexiability

Posted: November 26, 2015

Great high school for academics and activities. UA has dual credit opportunities with three different colleges. The alumni support group provides scholarships for all graduates in college. It's not easy, but the college prep is worth it.

Posted: November 23, 2015

Posted: November 23, 2015

I think as a college prep school they are preparing students for life past high school. They are preparing them for professors that don't coddle, that expect you to come to class prepared to learn without a lot of backlog of continually going over things previously taught.

Posted: November 23, 2015

The security team works with the students on a monthly character trait, helping to foster an environment where it is expected that you will be honest, and fair, and do your best.

Posted: November 23, 2015

I am a parent of a "lifer" a child that has been there since kindergarten. The staff are caring and invested in the students. There are amazing opportunities available to the students if they meet the requirements set by the school. The only drawback is the lack of diversity, but I know they have taken steps to work on getting the students involved in programs with other schools to help balance it. The best selling point to me in choosing University Academy for my student was the fact that I would NOT have to go through the process of finding a school on the same level at middle and high school. My child is thriving and succeeding in high school, in a beautiful, safe environment, where students don't have the "drama" of being given grief for being smart and focused on education.

Posted: November 5, 2014

On the exterior it looks as if this is a great school. It used to be amazing!The reality is there's a school full of African American students being taught by teachers that could care less about them. Teacher turnover at the lower school is ridiculously high. Middle school teachers are cold,uncaring and down right lazy. I have two children at this school. One has been there 7 years, the other 3. Communication from administration has become non existant. These teachers aren't bound by contracts and we've seen several at the lower school quit within months of the school year starting. The social workers on staff seem to be more concerned about being involved in a families personal business rather than help children in need. The school has a dental clinic and Children's Mercy,those are nice perks. But if your child is on the so called wait list, look elsewhere. Former teachers have admitted this school was intended to attract Caucasians in Waldo and Brookside. Instead there'd nothing but African Americans and the administration doesn't like it,and it shows!

Posted: March 5, 2014

U.S. News & World Report awarded University Academy's high school a bronze medal for excellence. It's test scores are very high. All seniors are required to be accepted by a 4 year college. The percentage of alums who graduate from a college (measured 6 years after graduation) is triple the national average for low-income students.

Posted: July 5, 2012

The high school is pretty impressive. High standards prevail. There is an atmosphere of strict discipline in the successful classrooms. The school is racially imbalanced. Neither the building nor the teachers are warm, but they do offer a challenging academic environment that can benefit the students greatly. Supposedly the school has a huge waiting list. There is an undertow of behavior problems that must constantly be contained, avoided, proactively dealt with, etc. The high school is much better than the elementary and middle school as far as behavior problems go. By high school, most students have probably internalized the take-no-prisoners ethos that the school has adopted.

Posted: April 20, 2011

UA Is a great school as far as safety and the look of the outside and inside of the school. As a College Prep I would like for the High School students to have more opportunities and programs such as the A+plus program. They have a turnover of high school teachers. Summer school isn't offered for those kids who may have struggled in a core class during the year. If your child has a D or F in a class they are NOT able to attend any school functions such as PROM, homecoming dances, etc. They can NOT attend a college tour which as a College Prep school if a child is struggling in 1-2 classes but workign hard and has a strong desire to attend college why keep them from visiting it. Again, it's one of the saest schools in the inner city and looks really neat. The most caring staff is Elem. and Middle school. They actually CARE about th estudents rather than kick them when their down. Pretty outside but the heart of the school isn't right!