University Preparatory School

2200 Eureka Way

School District

Shasta Union High
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

charter

School Map for Shasta Union High School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 20, 2023

High School Review. Really on the fence with this school. We were originally drawn to this schools' academic opportunities which seemed more promising than Shasta High but like another review has mentioned, the education is just fast paced and involves lots of night cramming. Our child does retain decent grades but the amount of sports practices and HW cramming has my wife and I questioning our child's mental health. A perk of this school is its relatively small size but ironically the communication between teacher, students and parents is dreadful. Our child has been trying for 2 weeks to make up a quiz with a teacher and has received no emails back from teacher and has not been successful catching the teacher before class. Bizaare that the teacher has not reached out. A positive is that UPrep has an amazing swim team and coach. We have NOT experienced any interest or mentoring for our child's education or sport opportunities as described with another viewer. Recently we've had a lot of issues with grades not being inputted in Aries correctly and assignments in Google classroom having conflicting deadlines. My child has to repeatedly point out these errors and sometimes gives-up out of fear of causing friction and further consequences. The bullying is very much present and seems to be overlooked by staff while my child and friends often joke about the obvious favoritism displayed openly. Maybe this is small school problems.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2023

Our family has been committed to this school for 6 yrs & fell in love with the office hours allowing students to seek help with any assignments. To be fair 6-7 grade was a wonderful! The last 2 years we have had a few issues with teachers and coaches whom I've strongly believed do not uphold the listed mission and standards of the school. Our family has taken into consideration that the pandemic has left students shorted on quality education. This is no excuse for teachers to not reach out with their students to give them confidence to find help. This year my child told me the Algebra teacher announced the class average was around 68%. The announcement was intended to point out the KIDS performance. As a parent, I question how does a HS teacher not reassess their contributions to the class? We pay for 2 out of 3 of our kids to get math tutoring 4 days a week, at one hour. Several classmates referred their math tutor to my kids for a teacher. School is also aware that the math class is next to a music room!BE WARNED: Emails intended to be private communication with staff, VP or Principle are not kept private & shared often. If the teacher/coach has a child who attends that school, their child will also know the contents of your communication. My family & other families have noted that teachers RARELY consider your feedback or initiate/engage w/ your child. If your child struggles to reach out to the teacher due to FEAR (introverted), its NOT THEIR PROBLEM. If your child is gone for a private issue (unexpected Funeral - Non Medical) some teachers require the work to be done AHEAD of time & guilted for missing lessons. Prompting the pressure to lie about the absence.Another element to this school is the insane amount of bullying. My kids are relatively quiet and introverted but the things my children have shared on what has transpired at school is beyond disappointing (new students often ostracized in sports). I deeply question the school inner culture. This year I picked up my kid from Homecoming to hear a student was inebriated, & doing drugs in the girl bathroom. Not a word was spoken or addressed within the school despite this happening on campus. The school performs well in academics but I worry about comprehension due to their fast paced classes. My kids often cram material before a test to keep their Cum Laude GPA.We are holding off for another year hoping for improvement.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2021

U-Prep is a FANTASTIC school where the teachers and administrators actually care about the education and future of our children. Yes, the academics may be challenging compared to other schools, but isn't that what we want to teach our youth, to be challenged and learn to achieve great things? My son absolutely thrives at U-Prep and is involved in sports AND the arts (music and musical theatre) and the support he receives from both his coaches and his teachers is unwavering. If I had known how wonderful U-Prep would be for my son, I would have had him enrolled as a 6th grader... I highly recommend U-Prep and will support this school even after my son graduates :) GO PANTHERS!!!!!
Submitted by student on June 20, 2019

It was an amazing school that helped me learn much more than any other school I’ve been to. This is by far the best school in Redding.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2017

Very good school.. expectations are high and all classes are college level starting in 6th grade
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2017

Great school, great office staff always helpful and professional. The teachers truly love their jobs and want the kids to succeed! Son goes there and so will my other 3 children when they are old enough!
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2016

Academically great, supportive staff, horrible kids and bullying.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

U Prep is a great school with a wonderful staff. Clearly these educators believe in the kids' ability to rise to the challenge of an education on par with that in better schools in major metropolitan areas. As a result, most are meeting the challenge and will be prepared to compete confidently, and succeed outside of Redding. Furthermore, the students have sports, music and clubs available to them. We are very happy with U Prep.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2011

It's a wonderful school. Academically challenging, yet encourages social interaction in a variety of venues, dances, sports, performances, etc.
Submitted by other on March 11, 2011

this school gives each student an opportunity to be part of the school either through sports, clubs, or special events, whereas larger schools leave so many "lost" in the numbers. the support system of the staff is great, doesn't matter if you are that members student or not, they are still available to help either the student that conects with them or the parent that is most compfortable with them. The academics are priority one, but the sports programs are getting stronger every year and is a great incentive for many of the students that need alittle "mind" break. The Mandrin class is exceptional, and it's refreshing to have such a personally involved teacher that loves thier subject matter and passes that on to his students. More hands on in science (labs) and history making the subjects more exciting would be great, but the math and english department seem to be very strong. all in all this has been a great experience and choice made for this family. grandparent of four year student.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2010

Great school. Rigorous curriculum that challenges kids. Nurturing students and parental communication needs some improvement.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2010

My child attended this school from 6th- 7th grade. The information being taught is wonderful. The way it is taught not as impressive. They use half sheets of graph paper. Then shrink down math problems to a tiny print. Students are to use these unreadable forms math. The 6th grade math teacher makes it well known. He will gladly accept bribes in the form of Starbucks for late work. The prep-latin course is unable to afford books. So your child will be required to handwrite vocab. words and definitions. So if there are any errors between the board and what they copy down. That is what they study all week. Some of the teachers at this school are great. Many of them are almost unreachable. You will end up emailing and calling many times before you get anywhere. We had to copy all finished work. Due to continuous input error.