University Preparatory Academy
| University Preparatory Academy | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
2315 Canoas Garden Avenue California Silicon Valley San Jose, California, Santa Clara, 95125  United States | |
| Coordinates | 37°17′30″N 121°52′29″W / 37.2916°N 121.8746°WCoordinates: 37°17′30″N 121°52′29″W / 37.2916°N 121.8746°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Charter School |
| Founder | Jacklyn Guevara |
| Principal | Bill Fowler |
| Grades | 7–12 |
| Color(s) | Orange and Blue |
| Sports |
Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country (High School Varsity and Middle School) |
| Mascot | Golden Eagles |
| Information | (408) 723-1839 |
| Website | www.upasv.org |
UPA, or University Preparatory Academy, is a charter school located in San Jose, California, emphasizing hands-on learning for all ethnicities; 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 7–12th grades. Currently about 550 students attend UPA, and the school has a student/teacher ratio of 1:20, above average for Californian schools.
UPA courses frequently make use of technology, and computers and internet access are readily made available to all students for educational purposes.
University Preparatory Academy is located at the Cathedral of Faith church at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave.
Available Courses
Core Classes
- Mathematics - Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC
- English - English Grades 7-12, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature
- Foreign Languages - Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Spanish Immersion, AP Spanish Language, French 1, French 2, French 3
- Science - Life Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry
- History - Geography, World History, U.S. History, Economics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP World History, AP U.S. History
Electives
In addition to its regular classes, UPA offers thirteen different Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
- Art (Beginning and Advanced)
- Band (Beginning and Advanced)
- Dance (Beginning and Advanced)
- Drama (Beginning and Advanced)
- Economics
- Engineering
- Government
- Skydiving
- Leadership
- Journalism
- Painting and Drawing
- Physical Education
- Project Lead the Way Classes 1-3
- Technology
- Yearbook/Multimedia
Clubs
University Preparatory Academy boasts a large number of clubs, founded and funded mostly by students and widely ranging in theme.
- Innovation, Design, Engineering and Animation Club (IDEA)
- Speech and Debate
- EcoSquad
- Green Team
- GirlUp!
- International Biology Olympiad
- Science Olympiad
- Glee Club
- Volleyball Club
- Art Club
- Spanish Club
- Fashion Club
Sports
UPA's sports program includes, or will expand to include in the close future the following sports. Teams are coached professionally.
- Boys Varsity soccer
- Girls Varsity soccer
- Coed Varsity Track and Field (Practices are held coed, but competitions are separated)
- Coed Varsity Cross Country (Practices are held coed, but competitions are separated)
- Boys Varsity Basketball
- Girls Varsity Basketball
- Boys Varsity Volleyball
- Girls Varsity Volleyball
- Girls softball
Events
University Preparatory Academy frequently has schoolwide events, to celebrate achievements, increase student morale, and display school spirit. Other events, such as the annual college trip help students to succeed academically. Such events include
- Bake Sales - Bake sales are conducted at lunch to raise funds for clubs and activities
- The Annual Jog-a-thon - Students run laps in the school parking lot to raise funds for the school athletics program
- School Dances - Several are held throughout the year including Homecoming, the Halloween Dance, Spring Dance, and Prom
- Friday Movie Nights - The entire school is invited to watch a movie of their choice.
- Drama Productions - Twice a year, UPA students are recruited to act in or support a play. Typically, the finished products are showcased in fall and spring.
- Junior College Trip - Once a year, junior students are taken on a trip to Southern California to tour renowned colleges such as California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Irvine, and others. Students on this trip learn about the application process and familiarize themselves with college campuses.
- Annual College Trip - Once a year, all students grades 7-12 visit a nearby college to ready themselves for graduation from highschool and entrance into college. Schools visited include Stanford University, University of California, Berkely, and University of California, Santa Cruz.
Developers/Founders
- Joe Coto — California State Assemblyman, Former Superintendent of East Side Union High School District
- Dan Ordaz — Education Consultant, Retired Assistant Superintendent of East Side Union High School District
- Jacklyn Guevara — Retired Executive Director of East Side Union High School District
- Dorothy Westerhoff — Education Consultant, Retired Educator/School Administrator of[East Side Union High School District
- James Romero — Engineer
- Patrick Dunkley — General Counsel for Stanford University
- Dr. Loren Lee — President of Strategy One Consulting
- Kurt Foreman — Director of Operations for Cathedral of Faith
- Richard Phaff — Retired Director of Financial Aid, San Jose State University