In 1963, a special examination was administered to sixth grade students from the City. The passers of this exam were put in a Special Science Scholars Section (SSSS). This promulgated an annual scholarship examination that formally established the UB Science High School as an institution of specialized secondary education. The school's pioneer batch graduated in 1967.
In 1970, the school received its legal recognition.
Science High scholars are recognizable by their uniforms. The gray and red wrap-around skirt donned by the female students are iconic to the school.
Scholars address each other as "ading" (gender non-specific, Ilocano term for younger sibling) and "manong/manang" (gender-specific Ilocano term for older sibling) as a sign of seniority. Certain Latin words and phrases have also been imbued in the scholars' vocabularies, such as haustus which refer to their morning and afternoon breaks, and festina lente which means to make haste slowly.
Aside from academic excellence, the school enables a culture that fosters servant-leadership and independence through its unique practices and traditions.
The Student Parliamentary Government (SPG) represent the Science High Student body and is composed of ministers.
Student Class Advisers (SCA) are a group of students that supervise classrooms during Sacred Silence and Monitoring Period.
The Youth Development Training (YDT) Body is composed of the YDT Director, Steering Committee, and Team Leaders that lead the annual YDT Sportsfest.
Certain activities unique to the school are also held annually and have been practiced since their inception:
Activity
Description
Anima Angelorum (Angels and Souls Day)
The Anima Angelorum Ceremony fosters a peer-support relationship between incoming students and graduating students.
Youth Development Training (YDT) Sporsfest
The YDT Sportsfest is an annual sports festival where scholars compete in bench cheering and cheer dancing. Students are permanently assigned to a team in which they will compete for with their own traditional cheers and variations.
Christmas Cantata
The Christmas Cantata is a university-wide production that have been celebrated annually since the 1970s. It involves the participation of the University of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School (UBLES), High School (UBHS), and Science High School (UBSHS). The Science High choir notably sing the Gregorian chants for the opening and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus for the closing.
Red Carpet Ceremony
The Red Carpet Ceremony is the epitome of the Science High culture and is held on the night of graduation. Graduating scholars who maintained adequate academic performance and noteworthy conduct are privileged to join the ceremony and walk the iconic Red Carpet, a long rug made up of sections tufted by representatives of the graduating batch.
Notable Alumni
Brandy Kramer, volleyball player and sister of Doug Kramer