University Preparatory Academy is a charter school located in San Jose, California, United States. 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 grades 7–12th. Currently about 550 students attend UPA and the school has a student/teacher ratio of 30:1, 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. UPA is located at the Cathedral of Faith church at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave. In 2016, UPA was ranked the 55th best high school in the nation and the 4th best in California by U.S. News & World Report.
Background
UPA was founded as University Preparatory Academy in 2007. 2015 marked UPA's fifth graduating senior class. Graduation standards are more rigorous than at other high schools, requiring more AP units than is mandated by California laws. UPA's campus is located near downtown San Jose in the Willow Glen area. It shares its campus with the Cathedral of Faith and a small preschool, and features its own outdoors amphitheatre. It is easily accessible via the Curtner Road station of the VTA light rail, and is within walking distance of two shopping centers.
UPA's sports program includes, or will expand to include the following sports. Teams are coached professionally.
Coed Varsity Cross Country
Boys Varsity Basketball
Girls Varsity Basketball
Boys Varsity Volleyball
Girls Varsity Volleyball
Theatre and Dance Department
In addition to the drama classes available for both middle school and high school students, each year UPA hosts two drama productions and a fall dance showcase every spring by the students in dance classes at the school. Students can audition to perform in the theatre productions, or apply to be on technical crews or part of the band for musicals. Below is a list of some of UPA's previous shows. Catherine Dietrich is the current drama and dance teacher.
In recent years UPA has begun a tradition of hosting an additional theatre production in the fall: a murder mystery dinner. In 2017, the students performed Cafe Murder. In 2018 they will perform Murder at the Banquet.
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
The Annual Jog-a-thon - Students jog laps in the school parking lot to raise funds for the school athletics program.
School Dances - Many dances are held throughout the year including Homecoming, the Halloween Dance, Spring Dance, and Prom.
Friday Movie Nights - On occasion, the entire school is invited to watch a movie of their choice on a Friday.
Drama Productions - These are showcased twice every year, and UPA students are recruited to act in or support a play. Typically, the finished products are showcased in fall and spring.
