University High

Q: Is University High a good school?

University High ranks 300 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

University High is a public high school located in Orlando, Florida, serving grades 9-12 with a student population of 2,555. The school is part of the Orange County School District, which is ranked 31 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger. Over the past several years, University High has maintained a consistent 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

University High has a diverse student population, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (56.32%) and Asian (9.47%) students compared to the surrounding schools. The school has maintained high four-year graduation rates, ranging from 94.3% to 99.5% over the past five years, which are significantly higher than the state and district averages. However, University High has seen a steady increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 25.1% in 2018-2019 to 47.4% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state and district averages. The school's test scores in various subjects, such as Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology 1, and US History, are generally lower than the state and district averages, with some exceptions like US History. University High also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 43.96% to 44.7% over the past three years.

Compared to nearby schools, Pinecrest Collegiate Academy and Access Charter have significantly lower student populations and different racial demographics, while Winter Park High and Timber Creek High have higher statewide rankings, graduation rates, and test scores. On the other hand, East River High and Colonial High have lower statewide rankings, graduation rates, and test scores compared to University High.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 9-12

2450 Cougar Way
Orlando, FL 32817

(407) 482-8700

District: Orange

SchoolDigger Rank:
300^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,703

Feeder schools for University High:

Elementary:	Andover Elementary
	Cypress Springs Elementary
	Lawton Chiles Elementary
	Riverdale Elementary
	More...
	Union Park Elementary
Middle:	Legacy Middle

Student/teacher ratio: 22.8

Number of students: 2,555

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

56.3%

White:

19.2%

African American:

12.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 44.7%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare University High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details University High ranks better than 62.8% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 13^th among 36 ranked high schools in the Orange School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.09. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at University High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at University High is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (56.3%), White (19.2%), African American (12.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 44.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at University High is 22.8. 31 high schools in the Orange School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare University High employs 112 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at University High is $8,703. 27 high schools in the Orange School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

University High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks University High 300^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See University High in the ranking list.)

Orange:

SchoolDigger ranks Orange 31^st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for University High.

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Rank History for University High

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	58.87	207^th	484	57.2%
2005	62.80	185^th	487	62.0%
2006	52.11	240^th	477	49.7%
2007	67.36	172^nd	563	69.4%
2008	63.45	212^th	577	63.3%
2009	63.49	221^st	587	62.4%
2010	66.58	201^st	620	67.6%
2011	66.28	207^th	622	66.7%
2012	41.84	313^th	606	48.3%
2013	52.63	262^nd	648	59.6%
2014	60.18	225^th	687	67.2%
2016	42.08	355^th	693	48.8%
2017	47.23	307^th	714	57.0%
2018	51.64	263^rd	716	63.3%
2019	51.28	276^th	734	62.4%
2021	52.99	246^th	746	67.0%
2022	47.88	312^th	774	59.7%
2023	52.56	259^th	792	67.3%
2024	50.09	300^th	807	62.8%

See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, May 1, 2017

UHS has an exceptional Magnet Program for IB and Global Technologies. It also has an outstanding performing arts department. My daughter is graduating this year (2017) from the IB Magnet program. University gave her the opportunity to excel academically and be accepted into a top 10 college in the United States. Close Quote

Enrollment information for University High

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1991	1442	47	65	320	4	n/a	n/a	0	1878
1992	1555	58	86	432	11	n/a	n/a	0	2142
1993	1696	67	114	514	7	n/a	n/a	0	2398
1994	1771	91	133	568	9	n/a	n/a	0	2572
1995	2051	154	144	746	6	n/a	n/a	0	3101
1996	2051	154	144	746	6	n/a	n/a	0	3101
1997	2193	187	171	832	8	n/a	n/a	0	3391
1998	2311	227	169	949	4	n/a	n/a	0	3660
1999	2259	256	194	1100	5	n/a	n/a	0	3814
2000	2516	325	196	1195	3	n/a	n/a	0	4235
2001	2659	421	234	1401	6	n/a	n/a	0	4721
2002	1519	309	243	1333	7	n/a	n/a	0	3411
2003	1519	309	243	1333	7	n/a	n/a	0	3411
2004	1465	284	257	1361	8	n/a	n/a	0	3375
2005	1379	329	251	1485	6	n/a	n/a	0	3450
2006	1391	372	252	1586	9	n/a	n/a	0	3610
2007	1259	388	240	1643	9	n/a	n/a	50	3589
2008	1238	400	228	1644	15	n/a	n/a	64	3589
2009	1203	387	224	1550	16	n/a	n/a	74	3454
2010	945	306	209	1293	18	n/a	n/a	60	2831
2011	827	317	211	1317	16	3	59	0	2750
2012	799	317	229	1353	13	5	54	0	2770
2013	829	334	229	1500	16	4	77	0	2989
2014	798	311	233	1596	17	2	83	0	3040
2015	815	362	211	1619	16	3	85	0	3111
2016	733	379	207	1681	12	3	84	0	3099
2017	678	368	214	1620	12	3	80	0	2975
2018	657	356	223	1599	8	2	86	0	2931
2019	584	332	221	1619	9	4	70	0	2839
2020	559	316	244	1539	8	10	72	0	2748
2021	477	299	230	1467	8	10	71	0	2562
2022	516	297	239	1440	9	10	64	0	2575
2023	491	312	242	1439	7	8	56	0	2555

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at University High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	1878	112.0	16.7	11.9
1992	2142	113.0	18.9	0.1
1993	2398	105.0	22.8	0.6
1994	2572	115.0	22.4	11.5
1995	3101	133.0	23.3	15.8
1996	3101	133.0	23.3	15.8
1997	3391	149.0	22.8	15.3
1998	3660	189.0	19.4	13.1
1999	3814	188.0	20.3	27.3
2000	4235	205.0	20.7	28.2
2001	4721	220.0	21.5	28.4
2002	3411	171.0	19.9	24.8
2003	3411	171.0	19.9	24.8
2004	3375	174.0	19.4	25.6
2005	3450	174.0	19.8	40.1
2006	3610	180.0	20.1	33.6
2007	3589	185.0	19.4	33.3
2008	3589	191.5	18.7	30.1
2009	3454	169.8	20.8	34.1
2010	2831	129.5	21.8	38.5
2011	2750	127.0	21.6	42.9
2012	2770	130.0	21.3	45.1
2013	2989	132.0	22.6	55.3
2014	3040	138.0	22.0	55.8
2015	3111	141.0	22.0	57.1
2016	3099	149.0	20.7	59.3
2017	2975	138.0	21.5	59.7
2018	2931	149.0	19.6	56.1
2019	2839	142.0	19.9	59.8
2020	2748	136.0	20.2	62.8
2021	2562	125.0	20.4	n/a
2022	2575	120.0	21.4	44
2023	2555	112.0	22.8	44.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio University High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	1878	112.0	16.7	11.9
1992	2142	113.0	18.9	0.1
1993	2398	105.0	22.8	0.6
1994	2572	115.0	22.4	11.5
1995	3101	133.0	23.3	15.8
1996	3101	133.0	23.3	15.8
1997	3391	149.0	22.8	15.3
1998	3660	189.0	19.4	13.1
1999	3814	188.0	20.3	27.3
2000	4235	205.0	20.7	28.2
2001	4721	220.0	21.5	28.4
2002	3411	171.0	19.9	24.8
2003	3411	171.0	19.9	24.8
2004	3375	174.0	19.4	25.6
2005	3450	174.0	19.8	40.1
2006	3610	180.0	20.1	33.6
2007	3589	185.0	19.4	33.3
2008	3589	191.5	18.7	30.1
2009	3454	169.8	20.8	34.1
2010	2831	129.5	21.8	38.5
2011	2750	127.0	21.6	42.9
2012	2770	130.0	21.3	45.1
2013	2989	132.0	22.6	55.3
2014	3040	138.0	22.0	55.8
2015	3111	141.0	22.0	57.1
2016	3099	149.0	20.7	59.3
2017	2975	138.0	21.5	59.7
2018	2931	149.0	19.6	56.1
2019	2839	142.0	19.9	59.8
2020	2748	136.0	20.2	62.8
2021	2562	125.0	20.4	n/a
2022	2575	120.0	21.4	44
2023	2555	112.0	22.8	44.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for University High

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$310 (4.0%)	$7,474 (96.0%)	$7,784
2019	$237 (3.0%)	$7,733 (97.0%)	$7,970
2020	$270 (3.2%)	$8,126 (96.8%)	$8,396
2021	$644 (8.0%)	$7,426 (92.0%)	$8,070
2022	$991 (11.8%)	$7,440 (88.2%)	$8,431
2023	$1,117 (12.8%)	$7,586 (87.2%)	$8,703

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on University High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 276^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 259^th of 792 High schools	4.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (University High)	52	47	5%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Orange)	52	50	2%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (University High)	53	48	5%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Orange)	50	46	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (University High)	66	64	2%
End of Course Biology 1 (Orange)	68	63	5%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (University High)	85	79	6%
End of Course US History (Orange)	70	63	7%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (University High)	29	23	6%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Orange)	63	51	12%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (University High)	45	40	5%
End of Course Geometry (Orange)	53	44	9%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	2839	2555	10%
African American	332	312	6%
American Indian	9	7	22.2%
Asian	221	242	9.5%
Hispanic	1619	1439	11.1%
Pacific Islander	4	8	100%
White	584	491	15.9%
Two or More Races	70	56	20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	59.8%	44.7%	15.1%

Schools Near University High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
University High	Public, Magnet	9-12	2450 Cougar Way	Orlando	32817	Orange County	Orange	No	Yes	No	No	(407) 482-8700	2,555	112	22.8	44.7%	491 (19.2%)	312 (12.2%)	1,439 (56.3%)	242 (9.5%)	7 (0.3%)	8 (0.3%)	56 (2.2%)	50.1	300^th of 807 public high schools	62.8%		52.6	259^th of 792 public high schools	67.3%	41		50.0	52.0		33.0	59.0	66.0	77.0	$8,703	$1,117	$7,586
Econ River High Charter	Public, Charter	7-12	5850 Tg Lee Blvd	Orlando	32822	Orange County	Orange	Yes	No	No	No	(407) 641-1062	269	5	53.8	1.1%	46 (17.1%)	26 (9.7%)	185 (68.8%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.0%)	8.2	681^st of 807 public high schools	15.6%		19.8	604^th of 792 public high schools	23.7%	77		5.0	30.0	9.0		17.0	16.0	21.0	$11,319	$2,423	$8,897
Hagerty High School	Public	9-12	3225 Lockwood Blvd	Oviedo	32765	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 871-0750	2,495	97	25.7	22.6%	1,518 (60.8%)	139 (5.6%)	559 (22.4%)	167 (6.7%)	2 (0.1%)	18 (0.7%)	92 (3.7%)	73.6	114^th of 807 public high schools	85.9%		74	108^th of 792 public high schools	86.4%	6		70.0	71.0		36.0	72.0	79.0	88.0	$7,775	$626	$7,150
East River High	Public	9-12	650 East River Falcons Way	Orlando	32833	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(407) 956-8550	2,050	90	22.7	45.3%	719 (35.1%)	264 (12.9%)	917 (44.7%)	85 (4.1%)	1 (0.0%)	13 (0.6%)	51 (2.5%)	43.7	381^st of 807 public high schools	52.8%		37.8	412^th of 792 public high schools	48.0%	31		47.0	50.0		23.0	46.0	64.0	71.0	$9,089	$1,192	$7,897
Timber Creek High	Public	9-12	1001 Avalon Park Blvd	Orlando	32828	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(321) 235-7800	3,573	164	21.7	32.7%	1,379 (38.6%)	338 (9.5%)	1,458 (40.8%)	248 (6.9%)	10 (0.3%)	11 (0.3%)	129 (3.6%)	68.9	143^rd of 807 public high schools	82.3%		71.7	123^rd of 792 public high schools	84.5%	20		66.0	66.0		35.0	65.0	84.0	87.0	$8,695	$1,053	$7,642
Lake Howell High School	Public	9-12	4200 Dike Rd	Winter Park	32792	Orange County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-9050	2,205	92	24.0	51.2%	995 (45.1%)	222 (10.1%)	823 (37.3%)	71 (3.2%)	2 (0.1%)	4 (0.2%)	88 (4.0%)	57	234^th of 807 public high schools	71.0%		47.1	317^th of 792 public high schools	60.0%	83		61.0	54.0		22.0	55.0	75.0	78.0	$7,998	$586	$7,413
Colonial High	Public, Magnet	8-12	6100 Oleander Dr	Orlando	32807	Orange County	Orange	No	Yes	No	Yes	(407) 482-6300	3,442	152	22.6	61.9%	318 (9.2%)	398 (11.6%)	2,606 (75.7%)	76 (2.2%)	1 (0.0%)	4 (0.1%)	39 (1.1%)	26.8	575^th of 807 public high schools	28.7%		22.6	579^th of 792 public high schools	26.9%	4		34.0	32.0		25.0	36.0	53.0	58.0	$8,210	$1,311	$6,899
Access Charter	Public, Charter	6-12	6000 E Colonial Dr	Orlando	32807	Orange County	Orange	Yes	No	No	No	(321) 319-0640	129	12	10.7	2.3%	38 (29.5%)	24 (18.6%)	55 (42.6%)	6 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.7%)								(n/a)									$24,332	$1,818	$22,514
Aloma High Charter	Public, Charter	7-12	495 N Semoran Blvd Ste 1	Winter Park	32792	Orange County	Orange	Yes	No	No	No	(407) 657-4343	366	11	33.2	0.8%	59 (16.1%)	64 (17.5%)	219 (59.8%)	7 (1.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	15 (4.1%)	4.6	723^rd of 807 public high schools	10.4%		7.7	675^th of 792 public high schools	14.8%	48	30.0	17.0	11.0		0.0	7.0	13.0	24.0	$10,480	$1,863	$8,617
Winter Park High	Public, Magnet	9-12	2100 Summerfield Rd	Winter Park	32792	Orange County	Orange	No	Yes	No	No	(407) 622-3200	3,369	154	21.8	36.6%	1,617 (48.0%)	306 (9.1%)	1,101 (32.7%)	226 (6.7%)	8 (0.2%)	9 (0.3%)	102 (3.0%)	67.5	153^rd of 807 public high schools	81.0%		68.4	142^nd of 792 public high schools	82.1%	11		61.0	68.0		36.0	70.0	82.0	80.0	$8,981	$974	$8,006

Frequently Asked Questions about University High

What schools feed into University High?

University High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Andover Elementary
Elementary : Cypress Springs Elementary
Elementary : Lawton Chiles Elementary
Elementary : Riverdale Elementary
Elementary : Union Park Elementary
Middle : Legacy Middle

Is University High a good school?

University High ranks 300^th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend University High?

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,555 students attended University High.

What is the racial makeup of University High?

Students at University High are 56% Hispanic, 19% White, 12% African American, 9% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

What district is University High in?

Orange

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.