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Students

Students
1766

Campus
40 acres located on the campus of Nova Southeastern University; the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School are all housed in their own buildings

Founded
1971

Faculty
167; 71% hold advanced degrees

National Merit Scholarship Program

An annual academic competition for recognition and undergraduate college scholarships. The competition is open to all United States high school students who meet program participation requirements. Scholarship winners are chosen on the basis of their academic record, test scores, leadership and community involvement, essays, and recommendations by high school officials.

2003-2007 University School National Merit Scholars

  • 29 National Merit Scholarship Finalists
  • 50 National Merit Commended Scholars
  • 10 National Hispanic Scholars

Advanced Placement

Courses allow qualified high school students to earn college credits. Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based upon successful performance on the National AP Exams. Exams are scored from 1–5, with a passing level of 3 or higher.

  • 270 University School students took 580 Advanced Placement Exams in 23 subject areas
  • 74% of University School students passed the Advanced Placement Exams with a rating of 3 or greater (Florida average is 47%, National Average is 59%)
  • 100% of University School 9th Graders passed their AP exam (National Average is 47.9%)
  • 77% of University School junior and senior students took at least one AP course in 2007 (Florida Average is 29%)
  • 37% of University School students who took AP Exams qualified as AP Scholars (National average is 18%)
  • University School offers 23 AP courses (National average is 8)

SAT Test

A national test that measures critical reading (CR), mathematical reasoning, and writing skills students have developed over time and skills they need to be successful in college. Many colleges and universities use the SAT as an indicator of a student's readiness to do college-level work. SAT scores may be used as a basis for awarding merit-based financial aid.  Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800.

 

 CR Math Writing Total
University School class of 2008 average scores 599 601 613 1,813
University School class of 2007 average scores:   594 605 601 1,800
2007 National average scores: 502 515 494 1,511
2007 Florida average scores:  497 496 479 1,472
                       

Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards

Honoring outstanding achievements, academic distinction, and community service of the finest high school seniors. A Silver Knight nominee has demonstrated academic excellence and a consistent record of service to the school and community and must be recommended by their school in one of fifteen categories. In 2007, the 370 nominees represented 31 public, 5 parochial, and 5 private schools, most of which had senior classes larger than the 120 from University School.

University School is #1 in Broward County for greatest recognition in the Silver Knight Awards

  • Over the past 5 years, University School has had 6 Silver Knight Winners.
  • Over the past 5 years, University School has had 19 Silver Knight Honorable Mention Awards.
  • University School has received recognition in all fifteen categories of competition.

Academic Honors

  • Based on their SAT/ACT scores, 98% of the 2007 graduates qualified for the Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
  • National Honor Society has 91 University School members and has received county recognition for their community service projects.
  • National Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society has 31 University School members.
  • National Spanish Honor Society has 63 University School members.
  • National French Honor Society has 25 University School members.
  • National English Honor Society has 33 University School members.
  • National Quill and Scroll Honor Society has 10 University School members.
  • National Tri-M Music Honor Society has 23 University School members.
  • National Art Honor Society has 15 University School members.
  • Broward County Science Fair, 2nd place with entries only by 9th graders.

Community Service and Leadership Honors

  • The class of 2007 performed over 36,000 community service hours during their high school years.
  • 100% of the seniors participated in their class project at the Cooperative Feeding Program.
  • The National Prudential Spirit of Community Award Finalist was a member of the class of 2007.
  • A member of the class of 2007 was a 7-Time National Chess Champion.
  • The Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award was awarded to a 2007 graduate.
  • A 2007 graduate won the Governor’s Point of Light Award recognizing exemplary volunteer service.
  • March of Dimes recognized University School for 20 years of continuous participation in WalkAmerica.
  • Florida Association of Blood Banks recognized University School for highest percentage of blood donations for the 9th continuous year.
  • Key Club International awarded the Governor’s Citation to University School in recognition of service hours.
  • Youth Leadership Broward 2007 selected 3 juniors to participate in its prestigious program.
  • Senior Capstone Projects provided real-world internship experience for seniors in the professional community and NSU graduate programs including Dentistry, Pharmacology, Education, Law, Business, Oceanography, Speech and Language, and NSU Departments of Public Relations and Technology.
  • USchool received Team/Individual recognition and/or championships in all-county, district or regional levels in tennis, soccer, golf, softball, and lacrosse.
  • The Inaugural 2006 Football Season ended with an 8-1 record.
  • The 2007 Rowing team competed at the National Level.
  • A member of the class of 2007 won the prestigious Brian Piccolo Scholar-Athlete Award.

Faculty Achievements

  • A faculty member wrote two source books for secondary and college teachers: Cultural Diversity in Literature Art and Music • Images of Women in Art and Literature
  • A faculty member wrote a guide for high school and college students: Help, I Have to Write a Paper!
  • A college application advisor has written a text book for a college writing course.
  • Five faculty members were selected to be AP exam Readers
  • A faculty member has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and honored with the Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award
  • University of Florida has selected a faculty member to be a College Application Reader
  • College Counselors attended the prestigious Harvard Institute on College Admission
  • The Theatre Arts Coordinator has been named to the Board of Directors of the Florida Association for Theatre Education.

Choral Program

University School has one of the largest vocal programs in Broward County.

  • 88 students in Upper School Chorus
    • 22 choral students performed in the Florida Vocal Association (FVA) All-State competition
    • 60 choral students performed with the University of Miami Honors Choir
    • 75 choral students performed at Carnegie Hall in June
  • An Upper School student was recognized with a Silver Knight Award in the category of Music in 2006
  • 1 member of the class of 2006 matriculated to the University of Miami Frost School of Music
  • 56 students in Middle School Chorus (grades 7-8)
  • 54 students in 6th Grade chorus

Grade/Musical/Dramatic Productions

  • 94 students participated in the annual upper school musical production of Crazy For You
    • 35 cast members, 39 orchestra members, 15 crew/assistants
    • Crazy For You was nominated for state-wide competition at Mainstage in Tampa in 2006
    • University School productions have been nominated for 14 Cappie Awards, the regional award event for outstanding high school performances
  • 30 students participated in the annual dramatic production of Rebel Without a Cause
    • 25 cast members, 5 crew/assistants
  • 57 students participated in the annual middle school musical production Seussical the Musical
    • 45 cast members, 12 crew/assistants
  • 30 upper school students participated in the mentorship program; producing, casting, directing, providing technical support for and conducting the middle school musical
  • 12 students from the Lovewell Institute (summer program) ranked 2nd place in district competition and qualified for state competition in April with an original one-act play  Roots- A Groundbreaking Musical

Forensics and Thespians

  • 30 students participated and competed at the district, state, and national levels in association with the Florida State Thespians and the National Forensic League in categories displaying their oratory skills
  • 9 students participated in the 2006 Florida Forensic League State Tournament and won the Interpretation Sweepstakes
  • 1 student finalist in 2006 and 1 champion in 2005 in Original Oratory at the Catholic Forensic League National Tournament
  • 2 students were octo-finalists at the National Forensic League Tournament
  • 1 student won the Harvard Tournament in Original oratory and the Yale Tournament in Oral Interpretation
  • 8 Thespian students received Superior Ratings at the District level for Costume Design, Duet Acting, Duet Musical, Monologues, and Solo Music

Concert and Jazz Band Program

15 year member of the Florida Bandmasters Association-FBA

  • 44 students in Upper School Concert Band program
    • Students have consistently earned highest rankings at All County and State Band Performances 
  • 26 students participate in the Tri-M Music Honor Society, an international organization recognizing secondary music students
  • 20 students in the Middle School Concert Band program
    • Over the past five years, students have consistently earned highest ratings at the district level
  • 22 students in the Middle School Beginning Band program
  • 15 students in the Upper School Jazz Band
  • 6 students in the Middle School Jazz Band
  • 1 member of the Class of 2006 matriculated to New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music

String/Guitar Program

  • 62 students in the Middle School classical guitar program
  • 4 students participate in a new program called Beginning Strings which teaches violin basics for students with no or limited experience (grades 6-12)
  • 7 students comprise a new program Intermediate/Advanced Strings, a performing ensemble group
  • 1 student was selected for the Broward County Honors Gold Orchestra

Fine/Visual Arts

  • 6 students participated in a county creative drawing competition “Fort Lauderdale – 2015” at the Jack Gallery (Seminole Hard Rock Resort); 2 students received top honors
  • AP Studio Art Design students have been accepted to colleges with prestigious art programs such as Parsons School of Design (New York), and The School of Visual Arts in New York
  • 30 students participate in the Lower School Cultural Arts programs that include classes on print making, design and composition, and art for beginners
  • 12 Upper School students competed in The Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards, a regional scholarship program awarding recipients in the arts
  • 14 students were winners at the Scholastic Art Awards Regional Competition
  • 2 students were winners at the Scholastic Art Awards National Competition
  • National Art Honor Society was launched in 2006 with 18 members

Video/Technology Production

  • 15 Upper School students participated in writing, taping and producing The Sun Weekly Review television broadcast
  • 15 Middle School students participated in SWAT (Students Working for the Advancement of Technology), a tech-savvy, highly motivated group