AND NOW IT BEGINS

Considered a small academic institution in comparison to the Newark, New Jersey high school community, University High School offers a strong curriculum in the humanities and the sciences. The school was founded in 1969 as School Within A School (SWAS), housed within South Side High School; currently Newark Malcolm X Shabazz High School. SWAS was designed to provide college preparatory classes to Newark students. In 1977, the institution moved to historic High Street, currently renamed to Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Like the names of its predecessor school and street, SWAS was renames like leaders and legacies that inspired it, SWAS was changed to University High School to indicate both purpose and proximity to the major universities neighboring it such as Seton Hall and Seton Hall Law, Rutgers and Rutgers Law, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Essex County College and Stevens Institute of Technology. The school excelled in leaps and bounds and with much political and community support transformed again. Rather than stay limited, the program moved from its experimental phase into a promethium of academic success and reputation,  In 1982 University High School transformed thus again, growing beyond its small location in into a larger, more academically accessible building where it is currently located within the affluent Clinton Hills section of Newark, New Jersey's South Ward which by coincident is not far from its original roots as SWAS. The location previously named, Clinton Place Jr. High. was renamed University High School; School of Humanities, Law and Education.

Students are recommended for admission by their elementary guidance counselors. They face a battery of standardized tests and must submit recommendations. This process has produced a student body composed of young people who have demonstrated academic motivation, intellectual curiosity and high achievement during their elementary school years. These students continue to excel through such extracurricular activities as sports, the award winning Phoenix Flame newspaper, ACT-SO competitions, National Forensic Debate Competitions, and Student Leadership groups among others.

We continue to grow. University High School is now home to the Gifted and Talented Program. Students are accepted after passing a test. They are taught a rigorous curriculum, in a departmentalized setting, which includes Algebra, English I, and a world language, in addition to traditional course work in their grade level.

The Information Age is very much with us, as we integrate technology into our curriculum. We boast an electronic card catalog, various electronic data bases, and computer labs. University High School's ITV room has become a hub of activity, as we offer and receive courses. 

In 1997, New Jersey Monthly Magazine named us as the second highest school  in our District Factor Group.   This ranking is based on several factors, including  combined SAT scores, percentage of students passing the HSPT11, percentage of Advanced Placement subjects tested, and the amount of daily instruction time, among other criteria.

The School Leadership Council at University High School is a collaborative, decision making body dedicated to improving all aspects of teaching and learning.