From the Principal’s Desk
I spent the brief summer break reflecting on the progress the school has made over the past five years. Our Academic Performance Index has risen 112 points. This past year Uni garnered praise from the visiting WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), the accrediting commission for California schools. The committee recognized our students as being among the nicest young people they have seen, and LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy sent Uni a letter of commendation. This summer, we were notified that Uni received a 6-year accreditation with a 3-year revisit. As we begin the 2013-14 school year, Uni will have 11 new teachers to carry on this tradition of excellence.
Our graduating seniors have gone on to the best four-year schools in the country, including Harvard, Yale, Penn, Brown, UCLA, Michigan, and LMU. Our teaching staff continues to gain honors for excellence in teaching. Our class Valedictorian Lilian Peng was recognized as one of 147 Presidential Scholars. Clearly, Uni is maintaining the academic reputation of the “Warrior” years.
One of the gratifying elements of being a principal is the generosity of alumni. This year, Scott Kivel, student body president of the graduating class ’67, contacted me. He has donated $50,000.00 to Uni. There were 2 stipulations: one, students would determine how money would be spent; and, two, the donation honors Dr. Warren L. Steinberg, Uni Asst. Principal in the years that Scott was a student. The students decided to build a pressbox for athletic events and purchased an auxiliary refrigerator for the new gym.
At Uni, we constantly seek programs that connect students to the school and community. Now, the athletic program has a new gym, outdoor basketball court and tennis facility all of which help. A new tartan turf track and field will begin construction in January. Alumni support of this project is sorely needed to ensure our student athletes compete on the best possible turf.
The arts program at the school has been extensively slashed over the past four years. That has not diminished the hopes and dreams of our talented students. We continue to present top quality musical and theatrical productions that can be even better with your support. A newly constructed state of the art digital recording studio is the centerpiece of the program.
Through the nearly ninety years of University High School there has never been a more important time to give back to the school that prepares its students to follow in the footsteps of our esteemed alumni who have carried forward the values that are intrinsic to University High School.
2014 will be the best year yet. Go Warriors! Go Wildcats!
-Eric Davidson, the Principal of University High School.
Ever wonder what the principal does? Eric Davidson warmly invites you
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Keep up-to-date with happenings. Find out about home games on the newly-lit field.
http://www.universitywildcats.org/