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. As of 2020, approximately 650 students attend UPA with a 21:1 student-teacher ratio.[1]
In 2020, UPA was ranked the 120th best high school in the nation and the 13th best in California by U.S. News & World Report.[2]
Background
3D rendering of the UPA campus
UPA was founded as University Preparatory Academy in 2007. 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 features its own outdoors amphitheater.
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.
University Preparatory Academy holds schoolwide events. 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.
