Tulare County Office of Education

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

Information Nights
for students entering 9th-11th grades

July 7, 15 or 22, 6:00pm, COS Yokut Bldg., Room 9, Visalia

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, including English learners needing to develop academic English proficiency and students who may be the first in their family to attend college. UPHS students will experience their high school years in a college setting, participate in college classes and earn college credits. This approach, known as an "early college high school," is a time-tested method proven to increase academic success and college readiness.

Career Pathways

To earn college credits, UPHS students will select one of five academic pathways designed around courses offered at the College of the Sequoias.

Allied Health pathway, which prepares students for studies in nursing, pre-med or a veterinary program;
Business pathway, for students who wish to obtain a degree in finance, accounting, marketing or management and aspire to serve their communities in public-sector, nonprofit, or corporate organizations;
Education pathway for students who want to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree;
Public Safety pathway with options including criminology, law enforcement, probation, firefighter and paramedic;
Social Sciences pathway with introductory courses in social work, psychology, sociology and history.

Typically, pathway courses are taken during UPHS students’ junior and senior years.

Service for Others

University Preparatory High School

UPHS students will participate in a wide variety of service learning projects in order to develop the leadership skills needed for success in college and the community. These projects will be "youth-led." Students will work with stakeholders to identify issues within the community, meet with parties affected by the issue, develop strategies to address the issue and implement solutions. Mentoring is another key component to student development at UPHS. Students will participate in two-way mentoring — receiving mentoring from successful college students and community leaders and serving as mentors for younger students in order to increase their interest in higher education.

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. For fall 2009, the school will enroll 125 students. Those entering the ninth and tenth grades are encouraged to apply. Eleventh and twelfth grade classes will be added in subsequent years.

Student Life

All entering students will participate in a College of the Sequoias "Student Success" course to ensure the development of skills that will prepare them for success in college. These skills include setting academic, social, and career goals; developing powerful study strategies; utilizing time management techniques; and learning effective decision-making skills. 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

UPHS students will observe a professional dress code in support of the school’s academic atmosphere. Students will be closely monitored, particularly those in ninth and tenth grades. A joint panel of COS and UPHS 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 will have access to a variety of cultural enrichment programs at the College of the Sequoias, including musical and theatrical performances, art exhibitions and cultural activities. Additionally, UPHS students will visit colleges and universities throughout California. Students will 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) 733-6845 (fax)

University Preparatory High School
P.O. Box 5091
Visalia, CA 93278-5091

TCOE and COS logos

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