High School

In the High School, students become accustomed to a demanding workload and high expectations in preparation for college and lifelong learning. Our students are taught to think for themselves and challenge assumptions.

Active participation in school and community enables our students to see how they fit into the world around them even as we provide them with the tools to do so. Rigorous coursework, lively class discussions, and independent reading and writing assignments all contribute to this goal.

The High School curriculum emphasizes analytical reading, writing, research, and strong math and science skills, with students taking five to seven courses per quarter, all of which would be considered honors-level in a public school system. Most of our students take at least one of our seventeen AP courses, and some qualify to attend courses at the University. Although Lab has rigorous course requirements, students also have flexibility in their selections. With the help of their advisors and counselors, students can put together an individualized course of study that will prepare them well for future success.

Students are required to take English each year they are enrolled at Lab. In junior and senior years they can take one of many quarter courses that deal with one or a few books or themes in depth. All English courses require extensive reading, writing, and discussion. In math, all students complete geometry and advanced algebra plus at least one more advanced course. Most of our students take four years of math including some level of calculus. Our newly renovated science labs enable students to develop a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics. In fact, several recent High School graduates have won national science awards and scholarships. All students take three years of history, including Early World and American. In foreign languages, Lab offers French, German, Latin, and Spanish at various levels, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.

Music and art are integral parts of the High School curriculum, with students required to take a minimum of one year each, selected among music theory, performance, fine arts, drawing, painting, photography, and drama as well as other selections. Our students exhibit their work and perform frequently throughout the year. In their sophomore year, students are required to participate in a community service project of their choice. This activity gives them the opportunity to follow an interest, help others, and make a contribution to community life.

High school students have many opportunities to pursue their interests outside of class. They run an award-winning publications empire, fully staff a nationally-recognized Model United Nations team, and run many other clubs and organizations. Interscholastic sports are also popular: Lab fields 28 different teams in nine different sports (baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball). Several of our students also participate in crew and ice hockey through inter-scholastic organizations based in Lincoln Park.

Files

Program Files

E- News Excepts

  • Course registration for 2012–2013 school year

    Posted February 1, 2012

    Course registration for students in grades 9–11 will begin at the end of January. Students will receive information about course registration during the January and February advisory period.

  • ArtsFest is coming, Thursday, February 23

    Posted February 1, 2012

    ArtsFest is a daylong event where regular classes are suspended and students signup for workshops that focus on the arts. Attendance is mandatory for all students. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the High School office or the Dean of Students office.

  • Winter Formal Dance, Saturday, February 4, 7:30–10:30 p.m.

    Posted February 1, 2012

    The Winter Formal will be this Saturday, February 4, at International House. After the Homecoming Dance there was interest in the community to review the High School dance polices as a result of student concerns about the dance. A committee of students, parents, faculty, and administrators was formed. They reviewed and made suggestions to the current dance polices. As a result, there are several changes in place for the Winter Formal, such as increased University of Chicago Police presence, breaks during the dance, and areas outside of the dance for socializing. Stay tuned for additional information on the committee’s work.

  • See great girls basketball—U-High hosts IHSA Regional Championship

    Posted February 1, 2012

    Come to Upper Kovler on Tuesday, February 7, at 5 p.m., to cheer as the girls play a semi-final game against either Illiana or St. Francis de Sales. Then, on Thursday, February 9, the IHSA Regional Championship will be played at U-High. It will be one of 32 state-wide regional matches, and they narrow from there: eight sectionals, four supersectionals, and the final four. As mandated by the IHSA, there is a $4 admission for these games.

  • Summer Lab travel applications are DUE February 10!

    Posted February 1, 2012

    U-High students have two awesome choices this summer:

    • Visit Yellowstone National Park with science teachers Sharon Housinger and Dan Jones and the Ecology Project. Students will be involved in real-time wilderness conservation projects. Trip dates are July 14-22, 2012, and enrollment is limited to 11 students.
    • Photography students can join the Cuban Arts & Photography Tour with U-High photography teacher Liese Ricketts and Spanish teacher Craig Reubelt. Trip dates are June 13-21, 2012, and the enrollment limit is 12.

    More information and registration materials are available at the Summer Lab website. Please call Summer Lab with questions, 773-834-7766.

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Facts

  • Some 99 percent of the students who graduate from University High go on to college. Our rigorous standards are designed for bright and conscientious students who want to participate actively and work responsibly in an open, creative atmosphere.
  • Housed in a modern building in the center of campus, U-High has 50 faculty members, all specialists in their disciplines, and 500 students. Rowley, U-High's library, hold 40,000 volumes, a collection equal to that of many colleges. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors also have access to Regenstein Library, the main University library.
  • Our goal is to graduate students who have the intellectual capacity to acquire, analyze, and communicate complex knowledge, and can use the methods of various disciplines to pose and solve problems for themselves. Our students develop these skills through rigorous coursework, lively class discussions, and independent research and writing, relying on original source materials and multiple texts.
  • U-High's demanding curriculum emphasizes analytical reading, writing, research, and strong mathematical skills. Students take five to seven courses per quarter. Many take advanced placement courses, and some qualify for college courses at the University of Chicago.
  • Our students choose from a wide variety of activities, clubs, special interest groups, and service organizations. We encourage them to become involved, explore their interests, and develop social and leadership skills. At the same time, we advise students to be selective; a genuine commitment to one activity is more rewarding than passive membership in several.
  • All of our students are required to work on a community service project of their choice. Other leading campus activities include journalism, student government, drama, Model United Nations, music, film-making, photography, the environmental club, and the math team.
  • Students also enjoy abundant opportunities to take part in interscholastic and intramural sports - girls, boys, or co-ed. Each year, U-High fields some 14 different sports, including baseball, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball.